First Data on the Host Ant Usage of Large Blue from the Carpathian Basin

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v64i1.1206

Keywords:

social parasitism, Maculinea arion, Phengaris, Myrmica specioides, Myrmica scabrinodis, Hungary

Abstract

The protected Maculinea arion is an obligate myrmecophilous butterfly (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). Fourth instar larvae and pupae develop in Myrmica (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) ant nests. Host ant specificity varies geographically, and knowledge of the local host ant species is important to understand the biogeography and evolution of this species, and vital for its conservation. Here we report the first data on the host ant usage of M. arion in the Carpathian Basin, one prepupal caterpillar from a Myrmica specioides Bondroit, 1918 and one pupa from a M. scabrinodis Nylander, 1846 nest. Myrmica specioides is a new host ant species of M. arion. It is important to collect further data on the host ant usage of M. arion, despite the difficulties of data collection.

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Author Biography

András Tartally, University of Debrecen

Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, Senior lecturer

References

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Published

2017-05-30

How to Cite

Tartally, A., Tóth, J. P., Váradi, A., & Bereczki, J. (2017). First Data on the Host Ant Usage of Large Blue from the Carpathian Basin. Sociobiology, 64(1), 122–124. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v64i1.1206

Issue

Vol. 64 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Short Note

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Copyright (c) 2017 András Tartally, János Pál Tóth, Alex Váradi, Judit Bereczki

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