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Report for
VIII European Ecological Congress
(Halkidiki - Greece, September 18-23, 1999)
Title
PRESENT STATE OF BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS OF EUROPEAN THREATENED SPECIES IN TRANSCARPATHIA (SW UKRAINE)
Sergey G. Popov
"ALEXANOR", Company for Science Implementation, Uzhgorod, Ukraine
Abstract
The paper has deal with investigation of butterfly population of threatened species in SW Ukraine. The main aim of the research project "Monitoring butterflies with purpose of their Conservation in West Ukraine" is conservation and restoration of marsh, wetlands and species rich grassland habitats as medium of inhabitance of threatened species of butterflies and their host plants. A second year of butterfly monitoring according to the British Scheme has been carried out in Transcarpathian region of Ukraine. 60670 butterflies of 110 species were calculated for 358 registration hours in anthropogenic, seminatural and natural sites (altogether about 47 sites). Among Rhopalocera here large interest represent populations of rare species. To such species belong marsh butterflies Boloria eunomia Esp., Lycaena helle D. & S., Maculinea teleius Brgstr. and such meadow species as Maculinea arion L., Erebia medusa D. & S., E. aethiops Esp., Glaucopsyche alexis Poda. The first three species trophically connected with unique area of vegetation and their preservation is depending from well-being of biotopes. In particular territory the repatriation of such species protected in Europe is possible:Parnassius apollo L., Colias palaeno L., Coenonympha tullia Mull., Boloria aquilonaris Stich., Maculinea alcon L., Maculinea nausithous Brgstr. The populations of two noticed Maculineaspecies already nearly have disappeared from territory of Transcarpathia, and other meet in unit localities. Therefore repatriation of these species represents significant scientific and nature protective interest. As a whole in the investigated territory inhabits 15 butterfly species, which have threatened status in Europe.
Keywords
Europe, Ukraine, Transcarpathia, butterflies, threatened species, monitoring, management of populations.
Main aim of research project
During the last decades complex of ecological problems emerged in this region as a result of excessive anthropogenic loading. As a secure of paramount ways of stable development, a general ecological strategy of natural environment protection and rational nature management should be developed. Establishing of national reserves in the plain and mountainous parts of Transcarpathia also would meet with realisation of the plans of building of ecological bricks of Common House of Europe (Melika, et all., 1993). The main aim of the research project "Monitoring butterflies with purpose of their Conservation in West Ukraine" is conservation and restoration of marsh, wetlands and species rich grassland habitats as medium of inhabitance of threatened species of butterflies and their host plants. For this purpose it is necessary to compile complex of recommendations for surviving all environment components based on own research data base.
Overview of butterfly fauna in Europe, Ukraine and Transcarpathia
Today in Europe among insects live 576 butterfly species (Lepidptera, Rhopalocera) (van Swaay et al., 1997). They are considered to be native here. It was not determined which species are mass, common or rare in Ukraine up to now. We analyzed a lot of state and private collections, articles and own data. Was established, that in Ukraine registered 208 Rhopalocera species for last 135 years. Overall, 68 species (33%) are considered to be threatened in Ukraine. A total of 143 species are considered to be of concern or relatively secure, although 57 of these are classed as lower risk (near threatened). 13 species are extinct or has not been located in the wild during the past 50 years (Popov in van Swaay, et al. 1997, 1999). In Transcarpathia live 115 species, 15 (13%) from their have threatened status (Picture 1).
Picture 1.
CHECKLIST OF TRANSCARPATHIAN BUTTERFLIES
HESPERIIDAE
1. Erynnis tages L.
2. Carcharodus alceae Esp.
3. Carcharodus flocciferus Zell.
4. Pyrgus alveus Hubn.
5. Pyrgus armoricanus Ob.
6. Pyrgus malvae L.
7. Pamphilida palaemon Pall.
8. Thymelicus sylvestris Poda
9. Thymelicus lineola Ochs.
10. Hesperia comma L.
11. Ochlodes venatus Br.
PAPILIONIDAE
12. Parnassius mnemosyne L.
13. Zerynthia polyxena D. & S.
14. Papilio machaon L.
15. Iphiclides podalirius L.
16. Leptidea morsei Fent.
17. Leptidea sinapis L.
18. Anthocharis cardamines L.
19. Aporia crataegi L.
20. Pieris brassicae L.
21. Pieris bryoniae Hübn.
22. Pieris napi L.
23. Pieris rapae L.
24. Pontia edusa F.
25. Colias alfacariensis Berger
26. Colias crocea Geoffr.
27. Colias erate Esp.
28. Colias hyale L.
29. Gonepteryx rhamni L.
SATYRIDAE
30. Pararge aegeria L.
31. Lasiommata maera L.
32. Lasiommata megera L.
33. Melanargia galathea L.
34. Coenonympha arcania L.
35. Coenonympha glycerion Bork.
36. Coenonympha pamphilus L.
37. Coenonympha tullia Müll.
38. Erebia aethiops Esp.
39. Erebia euryale Esp.
40. Erebia ligea L.
41. Erebia manto D. & S.
42. Erebia medusa D. & S.
43. Aphantopus hyperantus L.
44. Hyponephele jurtina L.
45. Hyponephele lycaon Kühn
46. Satyrus dryas Scop.
47. Hipparchia fagi Scop.
48. Brintesia circe D. & S.
NYMPHALIDAE
49. Apatura ilia D. & S.
50. Apatura iris L.
51. Neptis rivularis Scop.
52. Neptis sappho Pall.
53. Limenitis camilla D. & S.
54. Limenitis populi L.
55. Polygonia c-album L.
56. Nymphalis antiopa L.
57. Nymphalis polychloros L.
58. Inachis io L.
59. Aglais urticae L.
60. Vanessa atalanta L.
61. Vanessa cardui L.
62. Araschnia levana L.
63. Euphydryas maturna L.
64. Melitaea athalia Rott.
65. Melitaea cinxia L.
66. Melitaea didyma Esp.
67. Melitaea phoebe D. & S.
68. Boloria dia L.
69. Boloria eunomia Esp.
70. Boloria euphrosyne L.
71. Boloria selene D. & S.
72. Brenthis daphne D. & S.
73. Brenthis ino Rott.
74. Argynnis adippe D. & S.
75. Argynnis aglaja L.
76. Argynnis laodice Pall.
77. Argynnis niobe L.
78. Argynnis paphia L.
79. Issoria lathonia L.
lYCAENIDAE
80. Thecla betulae L.
81. Thecla quercus L.
82. Callophrys rubi L.
83. Nordmannia acaciae F.
84. Nordmannia ilicis Esp.
85. Nordmannia pruni L.
86. Nordmannia spini D. & S.
87. Nordmannia w-album Knoch
88. Lycaena helle D. & S.
89. Lycaena phlaeas L.
90. Thersamonolycaena alciphron Rott.
91. Thersamonolycaena dispar Haw.
92. Heodes virgaureae L.
93. Heodes tityrus Poda
94. Heodes hippothoe L.
95. Everes alcetas Hoffm.
96. Everes argiades Pall.
97. Everes decoloratus Stgr.
98. Cupido minimus Fuess.
99. Celastrina argiolus L.
100.Pseudophilotes vicrama Mr.
101.Scolitantides orion Pall.
102.Glaucopsyche alexis Poda
103.Maculinea arion L.
104.Maculinea teleius Brgstr.
105.Plebejus argus L.
106.Lycaeides argyrognomon Brgstr.
107.Lycaeides idas L.
108.Vacciniina optilete Knoch
109.Aricia agestis D. & S.
110.Cyaniris semiargus Rott.
111.Polyommatus bellargus Rott.
112.Polyommatus daphnis D. & S.
113.Polyommatus dorylas D. & S.
114.Polyommatus icarus Rott.
RIODINIDAE
115.Hamearis lucina L.
Results of field work in Transcarpathia
The biological monitoring of the chosen group of Invertebrate (butterflies) has been made for the Ukrainian South West Region since 1973. The basis of detailed investigation was created in 1983. 197547 butterflies of 127 species were calculated for 124064 registration minutes in anthropogenic, seminatural and natural sites (altogether about 150 sites). All accessible bibliographical information and other materials since XIX century were processed for complete presentation in butterflies species list of UWR. The database file BUTBIBL.DBF on historical information which consists of more than 6,600 records was created. The modern original data were obtained by 35 scientific expeditions. 15 expeditions were organized in 1995-99. The database file BUTUKR.DBF on original materials which consists of more than 30.000 records was created. As a result of field work on Transcarpathian territory (SW Ukraine, Map 1) carried out in 1997 - 1998 by Long Term Monitoring Project we have received some exclusive data about threatened butterflies and plants species, their quantity and ecological peculiarities. All together 1472 specimens of 15 butterfly species for 641 recording times and 360 recording hours was calculated.
Method of monitoring and determination of abundance of butterfly species
For realization of the monitoring the method which is based on "Butterfly Monitoring Scheme" (Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, 1981) and publication Pollard, Yates, (1993) was accepted. It has been practiced in England now. Abundance and dominating index for each species are determined by Kuzyakin and Mazin (1984) method. All calculated imago on transect are counted on an hour of route in sum and apart on species. The quantitatively calculated imago for one hour were accepted as a measure of abundance. Abundance of species was estimated by number scale, in which each number is an order of number and special name (grade): numerous species (grade, xxx) - from 10 to 99 samples of imago for 1 hour calculation, common species (xx) - from 1 to 9 imago, rare species (x) - from 0,1 to 0,9 imago, very rare species (x) - from 0,01 to 0,09 imago, extremely rare species (+) - from 0,001 to 0,009 imago. Numerous species together with the common ones are called background species. The dominating index for species is given in percentage of numerous sum of all calculated imago (Table 2). In this table the threatened butterflies sorted by grade (abundance) and by domination index. So, such species as Erebia medusa and Maculinea teleius were common species; Lycaena virgaureae, Maculinea arion, Glaucopsyche alexis, Leptidea morsei, Lycaena helle (see biotop and butterfly photo), Hamearis lucina, Plebejus argyrognomon were rare species; Lycaena hippothoe, Pseudophilotes vicrama, Scolitantides orion, Euphydryas maturna, Nymphalis xanthomelas, Erebia aethiopswere very rare species.
Table 2.
Threats factors and planned measures
Among of threats factors here are draining of lands, pasturing of cows also changing of open meadows with bushes of Prunus and Rubus plant species. The concrete management for surviving of noticed threatened butterflies is needed. In consideration of important role of investigated area for preservation of relict parts of landscape and biological diversity in Transcarpathia in general, a complex of organizational and scientific measures must be realized a major of which are:
- revitalization of marsh, hydrophilic and steppe biotopes;
- restoration and management of butterflies and their host plants;
- biological monitoring of butterflies and their host plants;
- raising of a level of ecological education of the local population (carrying out of lectures, issuing of brochures).
Photo. Biotop of Lycaena helle D. & S. and butterfly.
Photo by Sergey Popov, site Chere, peat bog at border of relict oak forest (vill. Bushtino, site Mosharky, Transcarpathia, Ukraine); female of Lycaena helle D. & S.
References:
Butterfly monitoring scheme. Instructions for independent recorders. 1981. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. A National Environment Research Council laboratory. NERC Reprographic Section. Swindon. 1981, 14 p.
Kuzyakin, A., Mazin, L., 1984. Quantitative Calculation of Butterflies for Biogeografical Purposes. Collective articles. IX Congress of All Union Entomology Society. Kiev, "Naukova Dumka", 1984, p. 268.
Melika, G., Krichfalushy, V., Krochko, Y., Lugovoy, A., Potish, L., 1993. The necessity of protection of natural ecosystems of the Transcarpathian lowland as a unique ecosystems of Europe. Proceedings of the International conference "The East Carpathians Fauna: its Present State and Prospects of Preservation". Uzhgorod, 13-16 september. Uzhorod, 1993, pp. 33-42.
Pollard, Yates, 1993. Monitoring Butterflies for Ecology and Conservation. E. Pollard, T.J. Yates. Chapman & Hall, London, 1995, 274 p.
Popov in van Swaay, et al., 1997. Threatened butterflies in Ukraine and Moldova. Provisional report. Part 3. Checklist of butterflies: present distribution (%) category of butterflies in the Ukraine and the Moldova. Dutch Butterfly conservation (De Vlinderstichting), Wageningen. VS97.25, November, 1997, pp. 18-64.
Popov in van Swaay, et al., 1999. Red Data Book of European Butterflies (Rhopalocera). Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). Part II. Datasheets for threatened butterflies in the Ukraine and the Moldova. Nature and environment, No 99. Concil of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg, 1999, pp. 77, 86, 89, 99, 101, 104, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 121, 124, 128, 131, 135, 143, 146, 150, 152, 158, 160, 164, 167, 173, 175, 177, 180, 183, 185, 187, 193.
Popov in van Swaay, et al., 1999. Red Data Book of European Butterflies (Rhopalocera). Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). Part II. Appendix 4. Present distribution (%) category of butterflies in the Ukraine and the Moldova. Nature and environment, No 99. Concil of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg, 1999, pp. 210-255.
van Swaay, C., Warren, M., Grill, A. 1997. Threatened butterflies in Europe. Provisional report. Dutch Butterfly conservation (De Vlinderstichting), Wageningen. VS97.25, November, 1997, 95 pp.
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