Field studies on flooding and survival of overwintering large heath butterfly Coenonympha tullia larvae on Fenn’s and Whixall Mosses in Shropshire and Wrexham, UK
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Published source details
Joy J. & Pullin A. (2001) Field studies on flooding and survival of overwintering large heath butterfly Coenonympha tullia larvae on Fenn’s and Whixall Mosses in Shropshire and Wrexham, UK. Ecological Entomology, 24, 426-431X.
Published source details Joy J. & Pullin A. (2001) Field studies on flooding and survival of overwintering large heath butterfly Coenonympha tullia larvae on Fenn’s and Whixall Mosses in Shropshire and Wrexham, UK. Ecological Entomology, 24, 426-431X.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Restore or create peatland Action Link |
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Remove, control or exclude native predators Action Link |
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Restore or create peatland
A replicated study in 1996–1998 in two peatland sites in Wrexham and Shropshire, UK (Joy and Pullin 2001) found that where water levels had risen due to peatland restoration, large heath butterfly Coenonympha tullia caterpillars had lower winter survival than in areas where water levels had not risen. Caterpillars on cotton-sedge tussocks Eriophorum vaginatum in plots with high water levels resulting from restoration activities had lower winter survival (0–35%) than caterpillars on tussocks where the restoration had not affected water levels (54–63%). Prior to the study (years not given) drains were blocked at Fenn’s and Whixall Mosses to raise water levels as part of a site restoration programme to create wetter areas of the sites. In winter 1996–1997 one dry study plot was located at Whixall and one wet plot at Fenn’s, but in 1997–1998 both the wet and dry plots were located at Whixall. In September 1996 and 1997, twenty captive-reared large heath caterpillars were put on each of four low-lying cotton-sedge tussocks in that year’s plots (two plots/year and a total of 80 caterpillars/ plot).
(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
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Remove, control or exclude native predators
A replicated study in 1996–1998 in two peatland sites in Wrexham and Shropshire, UK (Joy and Pullin 2001) found that when cotton-sedge tussocks Eriophorum vaginatum were caged to exclude vertebrate predators, overwinter survival of large heath butterfly Coenonympha tullia caterpillars was no higher than when the tussocks they were on were uncaged. There was no difference in survival between caterpillars on caged and uncaged tussocks on Fenn’s Moss (1997 caged: 12 of 40, uncaged: 16 of 40) or on Whixall Moss (1997 caged: 24 of 40, uncaged: 26 of 40; 1998 caged: 23 of 40, uncaged: 20 of 40). In winter 1996–1997 one study plot was located at Whixall and one plot at Fenn’s, but in 1997–1998 two plots were located at Whixall only. In September 1996 and 1997, twenty captive-reared large heath caterpillars were put on each of four cotton-sedge tussocks in that year’s plots (two plots/year and a total of 80 caterpillars/plot). In October 1996 and September 1997, mesh cages of 50 x 50 x 87 cm were placed over two of the four tussocks in each of that year’s plots. The mesh had 0.5 cm2 gaps to exclude vertebrate but not invertebrate predators. In April 1997 and May 1998 the tussocks were searched thoroughly for surviving caterpillars.
(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
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