Mobility and oviposition site-selection in Zerynthia cassandra (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae): Implications for its conservation

The adults’ mobility and oviposition preferences of Zerynthia cassandra have been studied for the first time, with the aim of integrating auto-ecological information into recommendations for the habitat’s management of this species. Results of our mark-release-recapture study have highlighted that Z. cassandra is a strictly sedentary species, since detected movements only occurred over very short distances (≤200 m) and mainly within the species’ reproductive habitat (i.e. around Aristolochia rotunda stands), with males moving further than females. Our study shows that the main oviposition habitat of Z. cassandra is found where A. rotunda plants are growing in large stands; sites where plants growing in half to full sun and mostly oriented to the south are preferred. The distance of deposited eggs from the plants’ roots was narrowly correlated with the plants’ length. Eggs were deposited singly, mainly on the underside of leaflets. Management strategies necessary for improving the most important habitat features for the conservation of this species are suggested.