La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Habitat characteristics of adult frosted elfins (Callophrys irus) in sandplain communities of southeastern Massachusetts, USA
Auteurs :	Gene Albanese, Auteur ; Peter D. Vickery, Auteur ; Paul R. Sievert, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Biological Conservation (136(1) APR 2007)
Article en page(s) :	53-64
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	Changes to land use and disturbance frequency threaten disturbance-dependent Lepidoptera within sandplain habitats of the northeastern United States. The frosted elfin (Callophrys irus) is a rare and declining monophagous butterfly that is found in xeric open habitats maintained by disturbance. We surveyed potential habitat for adult frosted elfins at four sites containing frosted elfin populations in southeastern Massachusetts, United States. Based on the survey data, we used kernel density estimation to establish separate adult frosted elfin density classes, and then used regression tree analysis to describe the relationship between density and habitat features. Adult frosted elfin density was greatest when the host plant, wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), density was >2.6 plants/m(2) and tree canopy cover was = 16%. Even small quantities of non-native shrub cover negatively affected elfin densities. This effect was more pronounced when native herbaceous cover was

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