Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0150833
Title (Primary) On the ecology and conservation of Sericinus montelus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) – its threats in Xiaolongshan forests area (China)
Author Li, X.; Luo, Y.; Yang, H.; Yang, Q.; Settele, J.; Schweiger, O.
Source Titel PLOS ONE
Year 2016
Department BZF; iDiv
Volume 11
Issue 3
Page From e0150833
Language englisch
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract

Contents and Methods

Here we present a detailed analysis of the life history, mobility and habitat requirements of the butterfly Sericinus montelus on the basis of extensive field observations, experimental breeding, capture-mark- recapture (CMR) and transect surveys.

Life History

We found that S. montelus has three generations per year and overwinters as pupae on shrub branches in Xiaolongshan. The adults of first generation have a peak of emergence in late April. The second generation emerges at the end of June and the third in early to middle August. Within the study region, larvae of S. montelus are monophagous on Aristolochia contorta. Adults fly slowly and lay eggs in clusters.

Key Factors

Life tables show that natural enemies and human activities such as mowing, weeding and trampling during the egg and larval stages are key factors causing high mortality, killing up to 43% of eggs and 72% of larvae thereby limiting population growth and recovery.

Population Ecology

The populations of S. montelus in Xiaolongshan have a rather patchy distribution. According to CMR data, adults fly a maximum distance of 700m within a lifespan of 6 days. The host plant A. contorta, grows along the low banks of fields, irrigation ditches and paths, and can be highly affected by agricultural activities, like mowing, weeding and herding, which impact larval survival.

Population Maintenance

For S. montelus should mainly focus on reducing agricultural threats to the host plant A. contorta and on increasing habitat connectivity.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=17233
Li, X., Luo, Y., Yang, H., Yang, Q., Settele, J., Schweiger, O. (2016):
On the ecology and conservation of Sericinus montelus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) – its threats in Xiaolongshan forests area (China)
PLOS One 11 (3), e0150833 10.1371/journal.pone.0150833