Butterfly Ecology and Conservation 320-ERS-1BEE

Substantive content:
Butterflies are a model group in ecology and conservation of insects. The aim of the lectures is to familiarize students with diversity and ecology of butterflies in Poland with special reference to Large Blue butterflies which larvae are social parasites of red ants. Participation in field courses will give opportunity to visit some selected sites interesting because of the butterfly fauna as well as overall biodiversity and also to know research methodology.
Butterflies and moths: classification, systematics and evolution of Lepidoptera;
Morphology, anatomy and development;
Wing colouration, camouflage, aposematism, mimicry;
Behaviour: thermoregulation, territoriality, courtship;
Life histories: oviposition, host-plants, aphytophagy, myrmecophily, natural enemies;
Dispersal abilities, population structure, migrations;
Butterfly diversity in NE Poland on the background of national and European fauna;
Methods of butterfly studies and monitoring (e.g. mark-release-recapture, transect counts);
Natural and anthropogenic threats for butterfly fauna (including impact of climate change);
Conservation management: examples from Poland and Europe.