• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.1123-1131
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the spatial range, distribution pattern, temporal appearance, sex ratio, seasonal pattern, and size of the population of Leptalina unicolor locally inhabiting the wetland protection area in the Jaeyaksan Mountain. We found that the butterfly was distributed across four areas at 750 m above sea level and in an area of 96,000 ㎡. in the southeastern slope of the mountain. The discontinuous distribution of the butterflies in the meadow. According to our survey conducted from 2012 to 2014, L. unicolor occurred in May (spring) and July (summer) each year, with the male population more than three times higher than that of the female population. The population size estimated using the mark and recapture method on the back of the hind wing in the two years was as follows: 877±502 and 1243±800 individuals in the spring and summer of 2012, respectively, and 783±429 and 506±365 individuals in the spring and summer of 2014, respectively, suggesting no specific seasonal pattern. The findings of this study are expected to be useful for the conservation of the populations and habitats of L. unicolor, which are currently distributed locally due to a decrease in population size.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제25권12호
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• pp.1633-1641
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• 2016

Leptalina unicolor is a hesperiid butterfly with a restricted distribution in Korea, Japan, China, and Russia. Recently, the number of individuals is rapidly decreased in their natural habitat. This skipper has been classified as an endangered species in the 'Red Data Book', and according to an IUCN report, is under threat of extinction. Therefore, the conservation and restoration of this species both locally and globally are urgently needed. A population of L. unicolor was found in an unknown habitat in Jaeyaksan, Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea in 2011, and these individuals were used in the present study. Here, the life cycle, characteristics of each instar larva and breeding information were determined by breeding L. unicolor in the laboratory from 2012 to 2015. The results indicated that L. unicolor occurs twice a year and over-winter as a fifth instar larva. A spring-form female individual laid $17.25{\pm}5.52eggs$, and summer form laid $29.00{\pm}5.86eggs$; it takes $53.79{\pm}0.73days$ for L. unicolor to develop from eggs to adults. After spawning, the eggs developed in $6.16{\pm}0.18days$, and larvae developed in $33.71{\pm}0.58days$; the pre-pupal stage to emergence required $14.22{\pm}0.31days$. Based on these results, we presented effective breeding information for the restoration and proliferation of the species. Several candidate plants species have been reported in the literature as a food source for L. unicolor, but we found that the preferred diet this butterfly was Miscanthus sinensis. The larvae could move easily when their preferred diet was planted in ${\geq}80%$ the cage floor area Year-round breeding was achieved by placing overwintering individuals in low temperatures in autumn. To our knowledge, this is the first study to the biology of L. unicolor in Korea, and the results of this study could be used as preliminary information for the conservation and restoration of this species in its natural habitat.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제29권8호
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• pp.809-818
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• 2020

To conserve the population of a hesperiid butterfly, Leptalina unicolor, inhabiting the protected areas of Jaeyaksan, we provide ecological information on their behavior and propose habitat conservation measures, such as the creation of alternative habitats based on comprehensive information. The behavioral study used a method of re-capture after releasing the butterfly with enamel marks on the wings. Adult behaviors were shown in four patterns: flying, settling on a plant, nectar absorption, and water absorption. Both males and females had the highest proportion of flight movement overall; however, males had a slightly higher proportion of flight movement. As for duration, females spent more time settling on plants to select spawning sites, and males seemed to take a longer time for water absorption activities, to absorb minerals needed to form the spermatophore. The average travel distance of butterflies was 27.5 m for females and 46.7 m for males, with daily activity ranges from 11.2 m to 43.8 m, and 21.4 to 57.6 m, respectively. The most important condition to preserve the habitat of Leptalina unicolor is to maintain the community of Miscanthus sinensis, a food plant. Additionally, because this butterfly has a high rate of water absorption activities, wetlands should be maintained.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.314-319
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• 2019

Background: The dramatic worldwide decline in the butterfly species Leptalina unicolor (Bremer & Grey) is largely the result of continuous habitat decline and disturbance by humans. The discovery of a narrow habitat in riverside wetlands utilized by L. unicolor raises the hope that such restricted key areas could be rather easily protected. Results: Here, we explain the environmental variables and habitat characteristics that primarily influence the distribution of L. unicolor discovered at the riverside areas along the Geum River. L. unicolor larvae were found at 9 of 13 study sites, and their abundance was strongly positively correlated with plant biomass. Our investigation showed that among four plant species (Miscanthus sinensis, Spodiopogon cotulifer, Setaria viridis, and Imperata cylindrica), L. unicolor larvae were the most abundant on the leaves of M. sinensis. They were not abundant on the leaves of S. cotulifer, S. viridis, or I. cylindrica. Interestingly, the number of L. unicolor larvae was positively correlated with the coverage area ($m^2$) of M. sinensis (F = 41.7, $r^2=0.74$, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: It appears that water (e.g., wetlands, ponds, and watersides) located along the riverside areas along the Geum River is important for the constant maintenance and conservation of L. unicolor. This is based on the habitat characteristics (water preference) of M. sinensis, which is used as a habitat by L. unicolor larvae. However, the waterside is dry and terrestrialization is in progress owing to the decreased water levels and water supply caused by an opened weir. Hereafter, this area will likely require management to secure a stable habitat for L. unicolor.

• 한국환경생태학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.237-251
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• 2019

본 연구는 1) 수변공원에 서식하는 생물상 및 생태현황 조사를 통해 수변공원의 생태적 가치를 평가하고, 2) 조사결과를 기반으로 한 생태교육 및 홍보를 통해 수변공원에 대한 이용 및 비이용객의 생태적 인식 변화를 분석하였다. 수변공원 92개소를 대상으로 생물상 조사를 수행한 결과, 수변공원에서는 멸종위기종 9종(벌매, 붉은배새매, 새호리기, 흰목물 떼새, 삵, 수달, 맹꽁이, 수염풍뎅이, 은줄팔랑나비)을 포함하여 다양한 생물의 서식이 확인되었다. 수변공원은 비록 인간의 이용을 위한 친수적인 성향으로 조성되었지만, 일부 자연성이 높은 지역은 생물서식처로 가치가 높은 것으로 평가되었다. 수변공원에 대한 인식 정도를 평가하기 위해, 금강유역 내 5개 지역(대전, 세종, 청주, 공주, 부여)에서 이용객 현황을 조사하고, 생태교육 및 홍보를 실시하였다. 총 200명을 대상으로 이용객 현황을 조사한 결과, 생태공원에 대한 이용객이 비이용객보다 더 많은 비율을 차지하였으며, 연령별로는 40대가 가장 높은 이용률을 나타냈다. 대전이나 청주 등의 지역에서 수변공원의 이용 빈도는 다른 지역보다 낮은 것으로 조사되었다. 대전이나 청주는 도심구간으로 수변공원 외에도 체육시설이나 카페 등의 여가시설이 상대적으로 많아 수변공원에 대한 의존도가 타 지역보다 낮은 것으로 사료된다. 이용객은 이용대상 수변공원과 실제 거주지간 거리가 가까울수록 이용 빈도가 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 이용객 대부분이 수변공원을 '생활체육공간'으로 인식하고 있기 때문에 도보가 가능한 거리가 아니면 활용 빈도가 낮은 것으로 보인다. 이러한 수변공원에 대한 인식은 생태교육 및 홍보 후 '보전'적인 측면으로 인식하는 비율이 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 인식 변화는 이용객(80%)이 비이용객(38%)보다 더 높은 것으로 분석되었다. 이를 볼 때, 생태교육 및 홍보는 수변공원을 직접적으로 이용하여 특성이나 제원 등에 대한 이해도가 높은 이용객에게 더 효과적인 것으로 판단된다. 결과적으로, 1) 수변공원은 비록 친수적인 성향을 가지고 조성되었으나, 일부 지역은 멸종위기종의 서식하는 등 생물서식처로서 가치가 높은 것으로 평가되며, 2) 이를 볼 때, 수변공원에 대한 인식은 친수적인 성향만이 강조된 부분에서 보전적인 측면으로 강화가 필요할 것으로 사료된다. 이러한 인식 변화는 추후 수변공원에 대한 관리나 정비계획 수립 시 친수와 보전적인 측면이 공존하는 수변공원 조성에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.