A conservação da biodiversidade representa um dos maiores desafios da atualidade em função do elevado nível de perturbação antrópica dos ecossistemas naturais. A degradação dos ambientes se torna especialmente crítica em biomas já muito reduzidos e alterados como a Mata Atlântica. As Unidades de Conservação têm papel fundamental na preservação e restauração desses ecossistemas, por isso estudos dentro dessas unidades e no seu entorno, incluindo as borboletas, que são boas indicadoras de qualidade ambiental, são de extrema importância. O presente estudo teve como objetivos: (1) avaliar os efeitos do impacto ambiental e do tempo de preservação sobre a composição da fauna de borboletas em ambientes de Mata de Restinga e (2) discutir a importância do papel das Unidades de Conservação para a preservação das espécies. Foram realizadas duas amostragens por estação (janeiro a dezembro de 2008, e abril de 2012 a fevereiro de 2013), englobando Matas de Restinga com diferentes tempos de conservação (divididas em três blocos amostrais, respectivamente T2, T10 e T40). As amostragens foram feitas entre 10:00 e 13:00, utilizando a técnica de observação por varredura, totalizando um esforço amostral total de 108 horas/rede. Foram registrados 810 indivíduos, divididos em 66 espécies de borboletas. Foram registrados, em T2, 187 indivíduos de 34 espécies, em T10, 224 indivíduos de 32 espécies e em T40, 399 indivíduos de 43 espécies. A análise de rarefação por indivíduos evidenciou diferenças significativas de riqueza estimada apenas em T2 e T10, apontando T2 como sendo o bloco amostral mais rico. Em nenhum dos blocos amostrais a curva teórica de acúmulo de espécies atingiu a assíntota, indicando que mais espécies de borboletas poderiam ser registradas com o aumento do esforço amostral. As curvas de acúmulo indicaram também que T40 apresenta maior tendência ao acúmulo de espécies. Os cálculos dos estimadores de riqueza indicaram que em todas as áreas somente uma parcela do número esperado de espécies de borboleta foi amostrada. A distribuição de abundância das espécies mostra que em todos os blocos houve dominância de algumas poucas espécies. A família com maior representatividade nas três áreas foi Nymphalidae, seguida de Hesperiidae. Os três blocos amostrais apresentaram alta dissimilaridade (73%) de acordo com a análise de SIMPER, apesar de que apenas doze espécies foram responsáveis por explicar 50% da variação observada entre os blocos. O NMDS através do índice de Jaccard indicou uma pequena sobreposição na composição de espécies de borboletas nas localidades T2 e T10, enquanto houve grande distinção destas em relação a T40. Já o NMDS para o índice de Morisita revelou uma total separação da diversidade registrada nos três blocos experimentais. O bloco amostral T2 apresentou elevado número de espécies generalistas e adaptadas a ambientes perturbados, enquanto T10 e T40 apresentaram mais representantes de Hesperiidae (que é considerada boa indicadora de regularidade e abundância de recursos). A ocorrência de certas espécies de borboletas nas diferentes áreas pode ser explicada pela estrutura vegetacional e a presença de plantas hospedeiras no local ou em áreas adjacentes. O tempo de preservação das áreas de restinga estudadas se mostrou um bom indicativo do estado de conservação, principalmente pela presença/ausência de espécies consideradas generalistas e outras que necessitam de um ambiente bem estruturado para sua sobrevivência.

Many species use visual features to avoid predation by several methods, such as concealing themselves, deceiving predators and hindering capture. One of the most striking strategies is aposematism, or warning coloration, in which prey use conspicuous visual signals to advertise chemical or physical defences, and thereby deter predators from attacking. My thesis focuses on the form of these warning signals, namely which elements of visual patterns might be most effective in generating predator avoidance, as well as how these different visual features relate to defence levels and ultimately to prey survival in the wild. To address these issues, I studied the warning signals of Lepidoptera and in particular burnet moths (Zygaenidae: Zygaeninae), day-flying moths with distinctive red and black wings and the remarkable ability to both synthesise defensive compounds and sequester them from their host plants. Technological advances and a growing understanding of animal vision mean that animal signals can be studied in an increasingly precise and ecologically-relevant way. Throughout this thesis, I use sophisticated methods to quantify both the defensive chemicals and wing coloration of burnet moths, as perceived by their avian predators. I examine the key features of day-flying defended Lepidoptera, then focus on the potential for quantitative signal honesty in burnet moths. I explore the relationship between defence levels and measures of coloration, both within the six-spot burnet moth, Zygaena filipendulae, and across species in the Zygaenidae, then test the effects of variation in warning signals on predation risk for artificial burnet-like prey in the field. My work highlights some of the complicating factors that should be accounted for in the study of warning coloration, especially when investigating the potential for quantitative signal honesty. I hope my thesis will provide a basis for future research on the defensive strategies of day-flying moths and inspire others to pursue investigations into aposematism in the Zygaenidae.

Este trabalho analisou a assembléia de borboletas em três diferentes ambientes da Floresta Nacional (FLONA) de São Francisco de Paula, RS - mata nativa com araucárias, campo e plantação de Pinus elliottii. Foram realizadas oito expedições a campo, duas a cada estação, durante um ano, entre julho de 2007 a maio de 2008. Seis trilhas foram amostradas: duas em ambiente de mata (AC e TT), duas em ambiente de campo (C1 e C2), e duas em talhões de Pinus elliottii (PE e PA). Foram calculados estimadores analíticos de riqueza, índices de diversidade, dominância e similaridade. Em um total de 246 horas-rede-amostrador, foram registrados 2647 indivíduos (N), distribuídos em 155 espécies (S); destas: 73 pertencentes à Nymphalidae, 39 Hesperiidae, 15 Pieridae, 11 Lycaenidae, 9 Riodinidae e 8 Papilionidae. Os estimadores analíticos de riqueza indicaram que 66-86% da fauna da FLONA foi amostrada. Foram encontrados 60 novos registros para a Floresta Ombrófila Mista do RS e para o Estado, quatro novas ocorrências: Euptychoides castrensis (Schaus, 1902), Yphthimoides viviana (Romieux, 1927), Paryphtimoides sp., e Satyrinae sp., as duas últimas, prováveis espécies novas para a ciência. Satyrinae foi a subfamília mais rica (S= 20) e abundante (S=761). Espécies exclusivas: 45 na mata, 30 no campo e 11 no Pinus elliottii. Foram registradas espécies típicas de campo: Pampasatyrus quies (Berg, 1877), Pampasatyrus periphas (Godart, 1824), Pampasatyrus reticulata (Weymer, 1907) e Pampasatytus ocelloides (Schaus, 1902). A mata foi o ambiente que apresentou a maior diversidade e menor dominância, seguida de campo e Pinus elliottii. O ambiente de Pinus elliottii foi o menos rico, com aproximadamente metade do número de espécies registradas na mata e 2/3 das registradas no campo. Os resultados destacam a importância dos ambientes originais para a fauna de borboletas e ressaltam a necessidade de mais estudos e de conservação destes locais, e principalmente, dos ambientes de campo, que abrigam uma fauna de borboletas característica e rica em espécies. / This work aimed to study the assemblage of butterflies in three different environments of the Floresta Nacional de São Francisco de Paula (FLONA), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil – Araucaria mixed forest, grasslands in the basaltic highlands and Pinus elliottii plantation. Eight field expeditions were carried out, two at each season, between July 2007 to May 2008. Six transects were sampled: two at Araucaria mixed forest (AC and TT), two at grasslands (C1 and C2), and two at Pinus elliottii plantation (PE and PA ). Species richness analytical estimators, diversity, similarity and dominance indexes were calculated. In a total of 246 hours-net, 2647 individuals (N) were sampled, in 155 species (S) distributed in six butterfly families: 73 Nymphalidae, 39 Hesperiidae, 15 Pieridae, 11 Lycaenidae, 9 Riodinidae and 8 Papilionidae. Species richness estimators indicated that 66-86% of the butterfly fauna of the FLONA was sampled. Were found 60 new registers for the Araucaria Mixed Forest and four new registers for Rio Grande do Sul State: Euptychoides castrensis (Schaus, 1902), Yphthimoides viviana (Romieux, 1927), Paryphtimoides sp. and Satyrinae sp.. These two last are probably new species for science. Satyrinae was the richest (S = 20) and the most abundant subfamily (S=761). There is 45 exclusive species in Araucaria forest, 30 in grasslands and 11 in Pinus elliottii. Species typical of grassland areas were found: Pampasatyrus quies (Berg, 1877), P. periphas (Godart, 1824), P. reticulata (Weymer, 1907) and P. ocelloides (Schaus, 1902). Diversity scored H´=3,973 and dominance levels 1- D = 0,967 for the total sample. The araucaria forest recorded the highest diversity and lowest dominance levels, followed by the grassland and P. elliotti environments. Pinus elliottii was the environment with lowest species richness and abundance, with approximately a half of the number of species registered in the forest and 2/3 of that registered in the grassland environment. These results prove the importance of original environments for the butterfly fauna and emphasize the necessity of more studies and the conservation of natural habitats in Rio Grande do Sul.

Includes bibliography.

Tropical rainforests are among the most complex and diverse ecosystems, composed of a mosaic of shady understory under the closed canopy and tree-fall gaps of varying sizes and age. The light reaching the forest floor favors the recruitment of fast growing plant species and provide food resources for other animal species including butterflies. The Nymphalidae are the most species rich butterfly family in the tropics, and are ideal bioindicators. We investigated the effect of the tree-fall gaps on the assemblages of fruit feeding Nymphalidae. We used fruit-bait traps in 15 tree-fall gaps from 100 to 1000 m2 and 15 in undisturbed understory, from July until November, in a lowland tropical rainforest in southeastern Peru. We found distinct differences in butterfly assemblages between tree-fall gaps and understory, with a higher number of species in gaps, associated with a higher level light. We identified several species mostly found in one of the habitats, and generalist species. The heterogeneity was large within the same site both in gaps and in the understory. The difference between butterfly assemblages increased with gap size. Butterfly species were mainly associated with the absence of vines in the gaps, and found in large and light gaps. We distinguished several species according to their preferences for the vegetation structure, light level and size of gaps. We concluded that one example that maintains the biodiversity in the tropical rainforest is the formation of tree fall gaps of different sizes resulting in different species assemblages.

The chosen group - Elachistidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) was researched only with the help of traditional research methods and the molecular DNA method was never applied. Model species Elachista argentella, E. maculicerusella and E. pollinariella. Selected populations were located in a different distance from each other. Elachista argentella,. E. maculicerusella and E. pollinariella were examined using traditional entomological methods such as identifying of species, making of morphological preparations, documenting of important for taxonomy morphological structures. DNA extraction method was applied for the above mentioned Elachista species. There were 4 specific and 2 random primers chosen for the molecular research. Analysis of Elachista argentell,. E. maculicerusella and E. pollinariella was carried out using oligonucleotide pair which amplifies mitochondrial DNA sequences of the COI gene. The polymorphism of sequenced mtDNA segments of the COI gene in three Elachista genus species was assessed on species and population level.

No description available.

Petri dish and olfactometer tests demonstrated that Goniozus natalensis (Gordh) females exhibit a host-searching response upon contact and at a short distance by olfaction, to a kairomone in the frass of its natural host Eldana saccharina (Walker). The host-searching response was found to be elicited by E. saccharina frass from a range of substrates, namely: two host plants of E. saccharina, papyrus and sugarcane, and four media: sugarcane, papyrus, and cellulose based media and a synthetic medium containing no plant material. The host-searching response was not elicited by Sesamia calamistis (Hamps) sugarcane medium frass. The sexual state and age of G. natalensis females were found to influence the host-searching behaviour. Mated females showed the behaviour in the petri dish bioassays only after completing their preoviposition time of two to three days, whilst virgin females took longer, even though their preoviposition time was found to be the same. The response to male or female produced E. saccharina sugarcane frass was not statistically different, nor was there a statistically significant preference for either frass type, given the choice. Four way olfactometer tests showed that an E. saccharina sugarcane frass odour elicited a host-searching behaviour in mated two to three day old G. natalensis females. Various solvents were tested for their ability to isolate the kairomone from E. saccharina sugarcane frass. Chloroform proved to be the best solvent when tested in petri dish and olfactometer bioassays. The preliminary results of the GC/MS analysis of the chloroform extract of E. saccharina sugarcane frass are presented. The chemicals identified are compared with chemicals identified as host location kairomones for other insect parasitoid-host studies. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1990.

Magistro darbe pateikti Aukštaitijos nacionaliniame parke dieninių drugių (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) faunos tyrimų rezultatai. Tyrimo metu aptikta 70 dieninių drugių rūšių. Aukštaitijos nacionaliniame parke 2002 metais buvo vykdomi tyrimai, užregistruotos 78 dieninių drugių rūšys (Švitra, Dapkus 2002). Tyrimų rezultatuose palyginta dieninių drugių faunos sudėtis Lietuvoje ir Aukštaitijos nacionaliniame parke. Pateikiama trumpa kiekvienos šeimos charakteristika ir apibūdintos aptiktos rūšys. Nurodoma kiekvienos rūšies skraidymo laikas ir paplitimas, taip pat aptariamas dieninių drugių pasiskirstymas įvairiose buveinėse. Šiame darbe pateikiamos retos ir į Lietuvos raudonąją knygą įrašytos dieninių drugių rūšys, aptiktos tyrimų vietovėse. Taip pat sudarytas aptiktų dieninių drugių sistematinis sąrašas. Darbe išanalizuoti Leptidea sinapis, L. reali, Melitaea aurelia ir M. britomartis morfologiniai požymiai, kurie padeda identifikuoti šias artimai giminiškas rūšis. / In this Master's thesis the fauna studies of Aukštaitijos national park’s diurnal butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) are submitted. During the investigation 70 species of diurnal butterflies were discovered. In year 2002 in Aukštaitijos national park there were surveys carried out and there was recorded 78 species of diurnal butterflies (Švitra, Dapkus 2002). Research results compare diurnal butterflies’ fauna’s composition in Lithuania and in Aukštaitijos national park. Also, provides a brief overview of each family characteristic, discovered species are defined and characterized. Research indicates the flight time and prevalence, as well as deals with the distribution of diurnal butterflies in different habitats. This paper provides rare and in Lithuanian Red Book included species of diurnal butterflies that were found in research areas. It is also provides the systematic list of detected diurnal butterflies. The paper analyzed Leptidea sinapis, Leptidea reali, Melitaea Aurelia and Melitaea britomartis morphological features that help to identify these closely related species.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Univ., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.