The Effects of Season, Host Plant Protection, and Ant Predators on the Survival of Eumaeus atala (Lycaenidae) in Re-establishments

Author(s)

Eileen M. Smith-Cavros, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Publication Title

Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society

ISSN

0024-0966

Publication Date

12-1-2002

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study on Eumaeus atala, the atala butterfly, was to determine which factors influence larval survival during re-establishment of atala butterfly populations. An inexpensive protective cover of fabric netting over the host plants at the reestablishment site was found to have a positive effect on the number of larvae that survived to pupation. Season was also found to have an effect on the number of re-established larvae that survived to pupation. Significantly more larvae survived to pupation during the wetter summer season than during the drier winter season. This suggests that future attempts to re-establish the atala should take place in the summer and should consider the use of protective netting over host plants. In the course of this study. the mortality of atala eggs was found to be high, and two new ant predators of atala eggs were found.

Volume

56

Issue

4

First Page

272

Last Page

276

NSUWorks Citation

Smith-Cavros, E. M. (2002). The Effects of Season, Host Plant Protection, and Ant Predators on the Survival of Eumaeus atala (Lycaenidae) in Re-establishments. Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society, 56 (4), 272-276. Retrieved from https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_facarticles/390