Search results for "Myrmica sabuleti"

An individual based model for the conservation of the endangered Large Blue Butterfly, Maculinea arion (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

2002

Abstract European populations of the Large Blue Butterfly Maculinea arion have experienced severe declines during the 20th century, especially in the northern part of the species’ range. This endangered lycaenid butterfly needs two resources for development: flower buds of specific plants ( Thymus spp., Origanum vulgare ), on which young caterpillars briefly feed, and red ants of the genus Myrmica , whose nests support caterpillars during a prolonged final instar. In order to improve understanding of those mechanisms that are most influential to population dynamics of the butterfly, we developed a stochastic population model. This individual based model implements three main biological comp…