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Swallowtail butterflies show positive edge responses predicted by resource use

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Abstract

Context

The prevalence of edges is increasing due to anthropogenic landscape change. Edge responses can vary considerably between and within species. Understanding species’ responses to edges, and the causes of variation in such responses is central to managing biodiversity in contemporary landscapes.

Objective

A resource distribution model predicts that species that require complementary resources in different land cover types will be most abundant at edges, displaying a positive edge response. Eastern tiger (Papilio glaucus) and spicebush (P. troilus) swallowtail butterflies use forest plant species for oviposition sites but open-habitat plants for nectar. They are excellent models for testing the positive edge response and exploring sources of variability in edge responses, such as species-specific traits or temporal effects.

Methods

In southwestern Ontario, we examined both the abundance and flight orientation of these species in relation to forest/meadow edges and at different times of day. We used a transect method similar to the Pollard walk and a catch and release method, respectively.

Results

The distribution and flight behaviour of these butterfly species were overall consistent with a positive edge response. Both species were most abundant at the edge and oriented their flight towards the edge from the forest and meadow. However, P. glaucus demonstrated a much stronger positive edge response, while P. troilus showed temporal variation in its response.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the ability of the resource distribution model to predict species edge responses and movement behaviours, but also indicate that species-specific traits and time of sampling can influence such responses.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Sarah Kruis, Ryan Smith, and volunteers who helped with field work and data entry. The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Long Point Regional Conservation Authority, Mary Gartshore and Peter Carson, Brian Craig and Paula Jongerden, Jim and Carol Knack, and Kathryn Boothby kindly allowed us to work on their properties. This research was supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (including a graduate scholarship to J. C. Siu), Canada Research Chairs, and Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation. Handling of swallowtail butterflies was authorized by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Wildlife Scientific Collector’s Authorization No. 1067555).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada

    Jenna C. Siu, Daria Koscinski & Nusha Keyghobadi

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  1. Jenna C. Siu
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  2. Daria Koscinski
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  3. Nusha Keyghobadi
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Correspondence to Jenna C. Siu.

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Siu, J.C., Koscinski, D. & Keyghobadi, N. Swallowtail butterflies show positive edge responses predicted by resource use. Landscape Ecol 31, 2115–2131 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0385-7

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