Effects of mowing on populations of the scarce large blue butterfly (Maculinea teleius) in SW Hungary
Abstract
Maculinea species are widely known of their obligate myrmecophilous life history and they enjoy special attention in nature conservation in Europe. Therefore, much more effort should be made in order to maintain their habitats in Hungary. We started a long-term habitat management experiment in SW Hungary in the Őrség National Park in 2007 to provide a scientific background for the maintenance of the scarce large blue’s habitats. To study the effects of mowing, we designated four stripes of different mowing regimes on each of the four meadows along the Szentgyörgyvölgyi stream. The four types were mown in May, in September, in May and in September, and there was an unmown control. Within the stripes, adjacent quadrates were designated and the abundance of both the butterflies and the food plant (Sanguisorba officinalis) and the frequency of host ants (Myrmica spp.) were surveyed in the flight period. Despite the differences between meadows in the management history and vegetation structure, we found similar effects of mowing: the abundance of the butterfly and the food plant were higher in the more intensively mown parts, while host ant frequency was higher in the less intensively mown areas. The latter areas may thus serve as refuges for ant colonies and their maintenance is essential for the persistence of the butterfly. Our results emphasize that a mosaic-like mowing scheme is essential for the survival of Maculinea butterflies and is probably important for many other species living in the same habitats.
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