Biologie, écologie et répartition du Cuivré des marais (Lycaena dispar Haworth, 1803) en Quercy (sud-ouest de la France) (Lepidoptera : Lycaenidae)
Auteurs : Lafranchis (Tristan), Heaulmé (Vincent) et Lafranchis (Josquin)
Année de publication : 2001
Publication : Linneana Belgica
Volume :
18
Fascicule : 1
Pagination : 27-37
Résumé :
The Large Copper (Lycaena dispar burdigalensis) has been found in some 50 places in western Quercy (departements Lot and Tarn-et-Garonne, SW. France). The -great majority of the colonies live in mesohygrophilous to damp meadows along rivers and rivulets, on plots going through extensive agricultural uses or being recently abandoned. Populations are usually small and all numerous colonies have been found in valleys or in combs which still have continuously natural grasslands on more than 10 hectares. Main larval host-plant in Quercy is Rumex crispus for the two or three annual generations, but caterpillars also eat, at least locally, Rumex conglomeratus and very rarely Rumex acetosa. In agricultural environment, extensive grazing by cows seems to be better than mowing at the end of spring or during summer. Changes in land uses and agricultural demography pose a serious threat to the Large Copper in Quercy