A novel parasitoid and a declining butterfly: cause or coincidence?

Author
Gripenberg Sofia
Hamer Nia
Brereton Tom M.
Roy D. B.
Lewis Owen T.
Keywords
Abstract

<ol>
<li>The small tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae L.) is considered to be a widespread and abundant generalist species in Northern Europe. However, it declined sharply in the U.K. between 2003 and 2008, coinciding with the arrival and spread of a parasitoid, Sturmia bella Meig. (Diptera: Tachinidae), which specialises on nymphalid butterflies.</li>
<li>Whether the decline in A. urticae is associated with the arrival of S. bella was investigated using data from a large-scale butterfly monitoring scheme, and by collecting larvae to assess parasitoid incidence and parasitism frequency. Similar data were compiled for a related butterfly (Inachis io) which is also parasitised by S. bella but which is not declining.</li>
<li>Sturmia bella was recorded as far north as north Lincolnshire (53.53°N). Aglais urticae has declined significantly to the south of this latitude, but not to the north.</li>
<li>Sturmia bella was present in 26% and 15% of the larval groups of A. urticae and I. io, respectively, and now kills more individuals of A. urticae (but not I. io) than any native parasitoid.</li>
<li>Survival was 25–48% lower in batches of A. urticae larvae where S. bella was present, indicating that S. bella causes host mortality in addition to that caused by native parasitoids.</li>
<li>Our results suggest that S. bella may be playing a role in the recent decline of A. urticae. However, further research is needed to establish its effects relative to other potential drivers of trends in the abundance of this butterfly.</li>
</ol>

Year of Publication
2011
Journal
Ecological Entomology
Volume
36
Issue
3
Number of Pages
271-281
Date Published
2011
ISBN Number
1365-2311
URL
Short Title
A novel parasitoid and a declining butterfly
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