Larval Ecology of the Invasive European common blue butterfly in Quebec

The European common blue butterfly was first spotted in Quebec and has since become well-established in open habitats and disturbed areas around Montreal. In late summer and early fall, it is one of the most abundant butterflies.

This project aims first to set up laboratory breeding of the European common blue and second to test whether symbiosis with local ants helps the caterpillars survive in their new North American habitat.

Many caterpillars in the blue butterfly family form symbiotic relationships with ants: the catepillar secrete nectar to feed the ants and the ants protect the caterpillars (and refrain from eating them themselves). We will use caterpillars from our lab colonies to test whether ants, particulary European ants introduced to Canada many years ago, protect the invasive caterpillars.
This project forms the first step of a longer-term research programme on a new invasive species about which virtually nothing is known. Biological invasions are one of the main processes of global change currently affecting ecosystems around the world. This project is both locally important in understanding a new player in the biodiversity of southern Quebec, ..TBC

Faculty Supervisor:

Emma Despland

Student:

Partner:

Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia São Paulo

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Concordia University

Program: