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A multiple-scale analysis of host plant selection in Lepidoptera

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Abstract

Lepidoptera play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems as pollinators, as components of the food chain and as indicators for healthy ecosystems due to their sensitivity to change. Heterogeneous landscapes with variability of topographical features, vegetation structure combined with food sources for all life stages are the basis for successful lepidopteran oviposition. A multiple-scale analysis is proposed to understand the hierarchical relationships between selected site to plant characteristics and oviposition preferences for the dingy skipper (Erynnis tages). To achieve this goal, factors driving oviposition at the plant and patch scale were identified and scale dependencies at the site scale were assessed. At the plant scale, tallest host plants were used for oviposition; however relative egg height upon each plant was similar in both host plant species [bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and horseshoe vetch (Hippocrepis comosa)]. The main factors preferred by E. tages in L. corniculatus patches were sward height and percent of bare ground, and in H. comosa host plant density patches. Selected patches had slopes of greater gradients (mostly facing south) than patches with no selected host plants. At the site scale, oviposition patches were clustered at small scales and oviposition sites were dispersed at larger scales. Our study suggests that oviposition selection in E. tages is a hierarchical process varying from the site to the plant scale. Our study provides empirical evidence useful to inform landscape management strategies. These can be expanded to assess larger scale vegetation and habitat suitability beyond individual sites for systematic conservation planning.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Colin Lucas for his guidance and hard work. We are also grateful to the Bedfordshire Wildlife Trust and National Trust for permission to access Totternhoe Knolls and Quarry nature reserve and for providing the necessary support for this research. Andrew B. Gill, Monica Rivas Casado, Chris Damant and the 2 anonymous reviewers provided very useful comments that helped significantly improve this manuscript.

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  1. Emily L. Dickins

    Present address: Bernwood ECS Ltd, Dodley Hill Farm, Station Road, Swanbourne, MK17 0SR, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK

    Emily L. Dickins, Adrian R. Yallop & Humberto L. Perotto-Baldivieso

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  1. Emily L. Dickins
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  3. Humberto L. Perotto-Baldivieso
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Correspondence to Humberto L. Perotto-Baldivieso.

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Dickins, E.L., Yallop, A.R. & Perotto-Baldivieso, H.L. A multiple-scale analysis of host plant selection in Lepidoptera. J Insect Conserv 17, 933–939 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-013-9574-8

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