Conservation Biology of Lycaenidae (Butterflies) - IUCN

Table 7 (cont.). A pro-forma scheme for species-orientated conservation of Lycaenidae (after Arnold 1983a).
2. Manage and enhance lycaenid population(s) by habitat maintenance and quality improvement, and reducing effects of limiting factors.
(a) Investigate and initiate habitat improvement methods as appropriate.
Examples:
(i) Remove or control exotic weedy or noxious plants.
(ii) Promote natural establishment of foodplants and other natural vegetation – if necessary, propagate and transplant,
(iii) Promote particular grazing (grassland) or coppicing (woodland) regimes.
(b) Determine physical and climatic regimes/factors needed by species and relate to local habitat enhancement in overall site.
(c) Investigate ecology of the lycaenid species
References
(i) Life history and phenology; dependence on particular plant species/stages/organs.
(ii) Dependence on ants or other animals, and their role in protection from predators and parasites.
(iii) Population status; size, movement, degree of isolation, sex ratio, etc.
(iv) Adult behaviour: mating, oviposition cues and sites, activity rhythms,
(v) Determine predators, parasitoids and other factors which cause mortality or limit population growth.
(vi) Investigate possibility of captive rearing from local population enhancement or range extension.
(d) Investigate ecology of tending ant species and (if needed) homoptcrous prey.
(e) Investigate ecology of food plant species
(i) Life history and recruitment processes.
(ii) Mortality and debilitatory factors, including other consumer species.
(iii) Limiting factors – edaphic conditions, slope, exposure, etc.
(iv) If needed, horticultural studies to determine propagation techniques for transplantation/augmentation of food plant stocks.
3. Evaluate above, and incorporate into development of long-term management plan. Computer modelling may assist in making management
decisions.
4. Monitor lycaenid populations to determine their status and to evaluate success of management.
(a) Determine sites to be surveyed, if choice available and/or logistics limited.
(b) Develop methodology to estimate population numbers, distribution and trends in abundance.
Examples:
(i) Counts of larvae when feeding at night.
(ii) Counts of adults by transect patrols, mark-recapture, etc.
5. Throughout all above, increasing public awareness of the species by education/information programmes.
Examples:
(i) Information signs at key sites (unless risk of inducing unwanted intrusion, collecting, etc.)
(ii) Interpretive tours, if secure sites permit without causing additional problems.
(iii) Audio and visual programmes, publications.
– TV/radio interviews and information on the species and its management.
– Conservation education programmes for schools and community groups.
– 'Popular style' newspaper articles.
– Continuing liaison with all interested parties.
6. Enforce available regulations and laws to protect species. Determine whether additional legal steps needed, and promote these if necessary.
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