Dispersal and egg shortfall in Monarch butterflies: what happens when the matrix is cleaned up?

作者：Zalucki Myron P^*; Lammers Jan H

来源：Ecological Entomology, 2010, 35(1): 84-91.

DOI：10.1111/j.1365-2311.2009.01160.x

• Breeding habitat
• genetically modified crops
• habitat sterilisation
• individual movement
• models
• milkweed patches
• roundup ready
• searching behaviour

2. The model simulates the number of eggs laid daily by a butterfly as it searches for hosts. The likelihood of finding hosts is related to the density of plants and the search ability of the butterfly. For an empty matrix, remaining in a habitat patch results in more eggs laid. However individuals that are good searchers have almost equivalent success without remaining in a habitat patch. These individuals are most affected by the presence of hosts in the matrix.
3. Given realistic values of habitat patch availability, our model shows that the presence of plants at a low density in the matrix has a substantial impact on the number of eggs laid; removing these plants can reduce lifetime potential fecundity by ca. 20%. These results have implications for monarch butterflies inhabiting agricultural landscapes, in which genetically modified soybean that is resistant to herbicides has resulted in the decimation of milkweeds over large areas.

• 出版日期2010-2