Clear-cuts are temporary habitats, not matrix, for endangered grassland burnet moths (Zygaena spp.)

Bergman, Karl-OlofLinköpings universitet,Biologi,Tekniska fakulteten,Linköping University (author)

Burnet moths (Zygaena spp.) are day-flying Lepidoptera considered indicative of species-rich grasslands. In the present study, our aim was to clarify whether clear-cuts are habitat, supporting habitat or matrix for three species of Zygaena. We did so by sampling these species with sex pheromones on 48 clear-cuts, varying in amount of host and nectar plants, in southern Sweden. To compare the efficiency of such sampling, we also conducted transect walks on these clearcuts. Overall, host-plants on clear-cuts best explained the abundance of Zygaena spp. recorded, better than nectar-plants or connectivity with nearby grasslands. These results indicate that clear-cuts with an abundance of host plants are used as a fully functional habitat, and not a supporting habitat in the sense of only providing nectar. There is no support in these results for considering clear-cuts as an inert matrix. With about half the work-effort, pheromone traps recorded 100 times more Zygaena spp. as transect walks. The poor correspondence between observations during transects walks and pheromone trap catches suggest Zygaena spp. being difficult to monitor by transect walks. In contrast to grasslands, clear-cuts are short-term in nature requiring repeated recolonization, indicating the importance of permanent grasslands. However, clear-cuts are important temporary insect habitats due to their great acreage, and suitable management can increase the time they remain a habitat.

Burman, JosephSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences,Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet,Växtskyddsbiologi,Department of Plant Protection Biology,Canterbury Christ Church University,Swedish Univ Agr Sci, Sweden; Canterbury Christ Church Univ, England,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; anterbury Christ Church UniversityCanterburyUK(Swepub:slu)50867 (author)
Jonason, DennisLinköpings universitet,Institutionen för fysik, kemi och biologi,Tekniska fakulteten,Linköping University(Swepub:liu)denjo18 (author)
Larsson, MattiasSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences,Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet,Växtskyddsbiologi,Department of Plant Protection Biology,Swedish Univ Agr Sci, Sweden(Swepub:slu)50578 (author)
Ryrholm, Nils,1956-Högskolan i Gävle,Biologi,Univ Gavle, Sweden(Swepub:hig)nrm (author)
Westerberg, LarsLinköpings universitet,Biologi,Tekniska fakulteten,Linköping University(Swepub:liu)larwe75 (author)
Milberg, PerLinköpings universitet,Biologi,Tekniska fakulteten,Linköping University(Swepub:liu)permi90 (author)
Linköpings universitetBiologi (creator_code:org_t)
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet

In:Journal of Insect Conservation: Springer Science and Business Media LLC24:2, s. 269-2771366-638X1572-9753

By the author/editor: Bergman, Karl-Ol ...; Burman, Joseph; Jonason, Dennis; Larsson, Mattias; Ryrholm, Nils, 1 ...; Westerberg, Lars; show more...; Milberg, Per; show less...

About the subject

By the university: University of Gävle; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Linköping University

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