| Title | Refining a conservation plan for an endangered lycaenid butterfly, Acrodipsas myrmecophila, in Victoria, Australia |
| Author |
New, T.R. (La Trobe University, School of Zoology); Britton, D.R. (University of Wollongong, School of Biological Sciences); |
| Keywords | Insects (Lepidoptera)|Endemic|Insects (Hymenoptera)|Species|Interrelation|Ecology|Distribution|Nature conservation|Surveys|Life Stages|Habitats|Host Organisms|Predation|Trap|Nesting|Monitoring|Field Studies|Endangered species|Acrodipsas myrmecophila|Papyr |
| Abstract |
Acrodipsas myrmecophila (small ant-blue butterfly) is a focal species of a threatened butterfly assemblage at Mount Piper Vic. Caterpillars are myrmecophagous and develop within colonies of a coconut ant, Papyrius 'nitidus'. Understanding the biology of the ant is thus an important component of defining 'critical habitat' for the endangered butterfly. The use of trap nests to monitor the butterfly's incidence and development is discussed. Prospects for extending use of these, and for exploiting ant scents as butterfly attractants, are noted as possible components of a refined status evaluation plan with wider ramifications in the study of myrmecophagous Lycaenidae (A). |
| Publish Date | 1st January 1997 |
| Resource Code | S041025 |
| ISSN | 1366-638X |
| Delivery Link | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1018431009427 |
| Sponsor |
National Estate Grants Program, Endangered Species Program |