Lepidoptera and Conservation

Preface viii Acknowledgements xiii 1 Lepidoptera and Invertebrate Conservation 1 Introduction 1 Biological background 3 Sources of information 11 2 The Diversity of Lepidoptera 16 Introduction 16 Distinguishing taxa 19 Drivers of diversity 28 3 Causes for Concern 32 Introduction: Historical background 32 Extinctions and declines 33 4 Support for Flagship Taxa 40 Introduction 40 Community endeavour 41 Flagships 44 5 Studying and Sampling Lepidoptera for Conservation 48 Introduction 48 Sampling methods 50 Interpretation for conservation 64 Priorities amongst species 66 Priority for conservation 71 Species to areas 76 Critical faunas 82 Related approaches 85 6 Population Structures and Dynamics 94 Introduction: Distinguishing populations 94 Metapopulation biology 97 Vulnerability 108 7 Understanding Habitats 117 Introduction: The meaning of habitat 117 Habitat loss 123 8 Communities and Assemblages 142 Introduction: Expanding the context 142 Vulnerable groups 144 Habitats and landscapes 147 Assessing changes 152 Forests 152 Agriculture 153 Urbanisation 155 9 Single Species Studies: Benefits and Limitations 161 Introduction 161 Some case histories 168 The Large blue butterfly, Maculinea arion, in England 169 The Large copper butterfly, Lycaena dispar, in England 170 The Brenton blue butterfly, Orachrysops niobe, in South Africa 172 The Richmond birdwing butterfly, Ornithoptera richmondia, in Australia 173 The Golden sun-moth, Synemon plana, in south-eastern Australia 174 The New Forest burnet moth, Zygaena viciae, in Scotland 175 The Essex emerald moth, Thetidia smaragdaria maritima, in England 176 The Fabulous green sphinx of Kaua i, Tinostoma smaragditis, in Hawai i 177 Blackburn s sphinx moth, Manduca blackburni, in Hawai i 177 Variety of contexts 179 10 Ex Situ Conservation 183 Introduction: Contexts and needs 183 Lepidoptera in captivity 187 Inbreeding 188 Pathogens 189 Translocations and quality control 190 Assisted colonisation 192 11 Lepidoptera and Protective Legislation 197 Introduction 197 Prohibition of collecting 201 12 Defining and Alleviating Threats: Recovery Planning 206 Introduction: The variety of threats to Lepidoptera 206 Alien species 207 Diseases 209 Climate change 210 Exploitation for human need 214 Light pollution 217 Pesticides 218 Habitat manipulation and management 219 Grazing 225 Mowing 228 Coppicing 229 Burning 229 13 Assessing Conservation Progress, Outcomes and Prospects 241 Introduction 241 Monitoring conservation progress 242 Indicators 246 Future priorities and needs 255 Index 260