Selection of Oviposition Sites by Libelloides coccajus (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae), North of the Alps: Implications for Nature Conservation
(1) The survival of peripheral populations is often threatened, especially in a changing environment. Furthermore, such populations frequently show adaptations to local conditions which, in turn, may enhance the ability of a species to adapt to changing environmental conditions. In conservation biology, peripheral populations are therefore of particular interest. (2) In northern Switzerland and southern Germany, Libelloides coccajus is an example of such a peripheral species. (3) Assuming that suitable oviposition sites are crucial to its long-term survival, we compared oviposition sites and adjacent control plots with regard to structure and composition of the vegetation. (4) Vegetation structure at and around oviposition sites seems to follow fairly stringent rules leading to at least two benefits for the egg clutches: (i) reduced risk of contact with adjacent plants, avoiding delayed drying after rainfall or morning dew and (ii) reduced shading and therefore higher temperatures. (5) Furthermore, the study showed that it is possible to successfully create secondary habitats for L. coccajus, as shown by a road verge in one of our study areas. It is likely that other artificial habitats such as abandoned gravel pits and quarries may also provide suitable habitats. 1. Introduction Peripheral populations are of particular interest in conservation biology. As species in peripheral populations tend to live under suboptimal conditions [1], these populations often show adaptations to local conditions and therefore can enhance the species’ ability to adapt to a changing environment [2–4]. Guo et al. [5] also point out that monitoring marginal populations can improve the understanding of crucial site factors and, in consequence, enhance the chances of correctly predicting future developments. Accordingly, peripheral populations are of great significance for conservation biology [2, 6]. In northern Switzerland and southern Germany, thehighly thermophilic Libelloides coccajus (Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775) (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) is an example of a peripheral species. L. coccajus has its core distribution around the Mediterranean coast, where this species can be found in open forests, on rocky screes, and in meadows with quite dense vegetation that never becomes dry [7]. North of the Alps, the climate is substantially colder and in the summer months wetter than in the Mediterranean region, so that thermophilic species such as L. coccajus can survive only on exceptionally warm and dry sites which are mostly isolated [8, 9]. Such a shift in habitat preferences
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