Maculinea nausithous Exploits Myrmica scabrinodis in Transylvania: Unusual Host Ant Species of a Myrmecophilous Butterfly in an Isolated Region (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae; Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

摘要: Isolated populations of the myrmecophilous Dusky Large Blue butterfly (Maculinea nausithous) occur in Transylvania (Romania). The hitherto unknown host ant specificity these was investigated at two sites, where Myrmica scabrinodis only potential host found. A total of 107 M. nests were opened early summer to check for presence of nausithous larvae, and them contained overwintered larvae. Our observations suggest that, like habitat, isolated populations essentially differs from other central European nausithous populations studied, which use exclusively rubra.