Introduction

The Korean peninsula borders Russia in the northeast and China in the northwest, while facing Japan across the Strait of Korea to the southeast. It features numerous mountain ranges and exhibits a relatively high diversity of species (Shin, 2002). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) produces the Red List, which serves as the most comprehensive global source of information on the extinction risk status of animal, fungal, and plant species, supporting the development, prioritization, and monitoring of conservation policies for threatened species worldwide (Warren et al., 2007; Mace et al., 2008; Fox et al., 2011). Red Lists of butterflies have been published in several countries (Warren et al., 2007; IUCN, 2010; van Swaay et al., 2010). In South Korea, Choi and Kim (2012) first conducted a Red List assessment of butterflies, examining the current state of endangered butterflies. The Korean government has designated a total of 10 butterfly species as endangered (n = 4 for Class I and n = 6 for Class II) and has additionally designated four butterfly species as candidate species (National Institute of Ecology, 2023).

Butterfly species are a well-studied group of insects both taxonomically and ecologically (Robbins & Opler, 1997). Butterflies are commonly used as indicators of environmental change, habitat fragmentation, habitat use change, agricultural activities, and air pollution in ecology and conservation biology (Samways, 2005; Nakamura, 2011; Kim et al., 2020). Recently, concerns have arisen about drastic changes in their distribution and abundance due to human impacts on landscapes and climate (Fox et al., 2011). In Japan, the decline in butterfly populations has been linked to various human activities, such as habitat alteration, destruction and degradation, loss of specific habitats, over-exploitation, invasive species, chemical pollution, and global warming (Nakamura, 2011). In South Korea, several factors have been suggested as potential causes of butterfly decline, including habitat loss, forest succession, rising temperatures, over-exploitation, and the loss of symbiotic ants (Choi & Kim, 2012). Butterflies, as phytophagous arthropods, depend heavily on host plant attributes, which play a crucial role in butterfly status due to their influence on insect life-history traits (Price, 2002; Hunter, 2003). Butterflies rely on host plants or other food sources during two distinct life stages. The feeding of adults and larvae influences life history traits, impacting maintenance, development, reproduction, and especially lifespan and offspring number (Vane-Wright & Ackery, 1984). Larval host plants are considered a critical resource for defining metapopulation patchworks among butterflies (Thomas & Hanski, 1997; Ehrlich & Hanski, 2004). Recently, the importance of a broader range of resources for such definitions has garnered attention (Dennis et al., 2003, 2006, 2007; Shreeve et al., 2004). Nectar is also vital for defining habitat patches for butterflies and diurnal moths (Murphy et al., 1983; Tudor et al., 2004; Binzenhofer et al., 2005). High concentrations of butterflies on nectar sources have been well-documented across various landscapes (Brakefield, 1982; Dover, 1996; Freese et al., 2006; Jantunen & Saarnio, 2005; Croxton et al., 2005). Nectar also plays a significant role in pollinating flowering plants (Wiklund et al., 1982; Faegri & van der Pijl, 1979; Proctor et al., 1996). Despite this significance of host and nectar plants for the conservation of endangered butterflies, comprehensive studies on such plants have been seldom conducted across the endangered butterfly species at a national scale in South Korea (Kim et al., 2012).

The goal of this study is to review the host and nectar plants of endangered butterflies in South Korea. We began by gathering information on the host and nectar plants of all Korean endangered butterfly species from prior studies. Subsequently, we analyzed the feeding preferences for larval host plants and adult nectar plants of each endangered butterfly species.

Endangered Butterflies in South Korea

There are 10 endangered butterfly species (n = 4 and 6 for Class I and Class II, respectively) in South Korea. Among these, four endangered species of Class I are Parnassius bremeri, Hipparchia autonoe, Aporia crataegi, and Sinia divina, while six species of endangered Class II include Protantigius superans, Cigaritis takanonis, Mellicta ambigua, Argynnis nerippe, Leptalina unicolor, and Chalinga pratti. Both classes are protected domestically by the Ministry of Environment in South Korea. Additionally, there are four candidate endangered species in South Korea, namely Phengaris kurentzovi, Phengaris teleius, Plebejus subsolanus, and Melitaea latefascia (Fig. 1).

Literature Review of Host and Nectar Plants

A total of 44 previous studies were selected as references (see references without in-text citation). We examined both larval host plants and adult nectar plants for each endangered butterfly using these references (Table 1). We were able to collect information on host and nectar plant species for each butterfly, except host plants for C. takanonis. The larvae of C. takanonis are known to utilize food provided by an ant species (Crematogaster matsumurai) or food stored in ant nests, but specific host plants remain unidentified. Moreover, we gathered information on P. kurentzovi and P. teleius which feed on eggs and larvae of ants (Myrmica sp.; Myrmica skotokui and Myrmica ruginodis, respectively) as parasitic butterflies of ants, along with their host plants.

Larval Host Plants

Each endangered butterfly species exhibited a narrow range of feeding preferences on host plant families (0–3) and species (0–14) in this study (Table 1). Both A. crataegi and M. ambigua had the highest number of host plant families (n = 3), while other species had fewer than two families. Furthermore, A. crataegi had the most species of host plants (n = 14), but other species had fewer than eight species.

In this review, 13 families and 42 species of plants were identified as utilized by 14 endangered butterflies (Table 2). Among these, the Rosaceae was the most common host plant family, supporting three butterfly species (A. crataegi, P. kurentzovi, and P. teleius). The remaining 12 families were used by one or two butterfly species. Of the 42 host plant species, three were predominantly utilized by the butterflies. Undulate speedwell (Veronica undulata), Asian plantain (Plantago asiatica), and Asian siphonostegia (Siphonostegia chinensis) supported two butterfly species (M. ambigua and M. latefascia). Additionally, Great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) and English walnut (Juglans regia) each supported two butterfly species (P. kurentzovi and P. teleius; A. crataegi and P. superans, respectively). The other host plant species were utilized by only one butterfly species.

Adult Nectar Plants

The endangered butterfly species exhibited a wide range of feeding preferences, consuming nectar from between two and twelve plant families and from two to twenty-one plant species (Table 1). M. ambigua utilized the maximum number of nectar plant families (n = 12), significantly more than other butterfly species which utilized fewer than eight families. Similarly, M. ambigua was found to feed on the highest number of nectar plant species (n = 21), followed by A. nerippe (n = 16) and M. latefascia (n = 11), with other species feeding on fewer than eight species.

This review found that 21 families and 61 species of nectar plants are used by 14 endangered butterfly species (Table 2). Of these families, Asteraceae is most frequently utilized by butterfly species (n = 13), followed by Fabaceae (n = 10), Rosaceae (n = 7), Primulaceae (n = 5), Lamiaceae (n = 4), Valerianaceae (n = 4), Hydrangeaceae (n = 4), Scrophulariaceae (n = 3), Dipsacaceae (n = 3), Crassulaceae (n = 2), Brassicaceae (n = 2), with other plants being used less frequently (n = 1). Among the 61 species of nectar plants, Ussuri thistle (Cirsium japonicum) was the most commonly used (n = 10), followed by White-top (Erigeron annuus; n = 8), White dutch clover (Trifolium repens; n = 6), Gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides; n = 5), Common breea (Breea segeta; n = 4), Lilac self-heal (Prunella vulgaris; n = 3), and Northeastern scabious (Scabiosa comosa; n = 3). The remaining nectar plants were utilized by one or two butterfly species.

Conclusions and Recommendations

For host plants, given the host specificity exhibited by many butterfly species, it is essential to incorporate these ecological characteristics thoroughly when planning restoration programs for specific butterfly species, especially those that depend on one or two host plants for larval survival and development (e.g., P. bremeri feeds on one host species). For nectar plants, considering that nectar consists of glucose, fructose, and sucrose, which are crucial for the survival and reproduction of adult butterflies, the selection of nectar plants should reflect the utilization behavior of numerous butterfly species in the planning of restoration programs, particularly for species that favor a limited variety of nectar plants (e.g., C. pratti feeds on two nectar species). Additionally, the simultaneous consideration of both host and nectar plants is vital to achieve a successful outcome in restoration programs for endangered butterfly species. This review represents the first comprehensive summary of the host and nectar plants of all endangered butterflies in South Korea. The information provided on the host and nectar plants of these species will be invaluable and can be leveraged to effectively establish future restoration plans for endangered butterflies.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institute of Ecology, funded by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of the Republic of Korea (No. NIE-B-2024-18). We are grateful to the two peer reviewers for their critical comments on this review paper.

Author Contributions

The authors confirm their contributions to the paper as follows: Munki Paek conducted the study conception and design, analyzed and interpreted results, and prepared the draft manuscript (in Korean); Youngho Cho assisted in study conception and design and confirmed the scientific names of butterflies; Ji Yeong Kim translated references (in English) and edited the manuscript; Dukyeop Kim confirmed scientific names and translated the common names of plants (in English); Baek-Jun Kim analyzed and interpreted results, edited the manuscript, prepared the draft manuscript (in English), and handled correspondence.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no competing interests relevant to this study to disclose.

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Figures and Tables
Fig. 1.

Butterfly species designated as endangered and domestically protected in South Korea.

pnie-5-4-99-f1.jpg
Table 1

Host and nectar plants of endangered butterfly species (n = 14) in South Korea

Butterfly species Host plant Nectar plant


Family Species Family Species
Parnassius bremeri Crassulaceae Phedimus aizoon Crassulaceae Phedimus aizoon
Asteraceae Cirsium japonicum
Valerianaceae Valeriana coreana
Fabaceae Robinia pseudoacacia
Rosaceae Rubus idaeus
˝ Rubus crataegifolius
Hipparchia autonoe Poaceae Festuca ovina Asteraceae Senecio nemorensis
˝ Elymus tsukushiensis ˝ Cirsium japonicum
Cyperaceae Carex erythrobasis Lamiaceae Prunella vulgaris
˝ Carex humilis ˝ Thymus quinquecostatus
˝ Clinopodium micranthum
Dipsacaceae Scabiosa comosa
Scrophulariaceae Pedicularis resupinata
˝ Pedicularis hallaisanensis
Aporia crataegi Rosaceae Prunus serrulata Asteraceae Cirsium japonicum
˝ Malus pumila ˝ Breea segeta
˝ Pyrus pyrifolia Fabaceae Trifolium repens
˝ Chaenomeles speciosa ˝ Vicia amoena
˝ Malus micromalus Caryophyllaceae Dianthus chinensis
˝ Sorbus commixta
˝ Rosa rugosa
˝ Prunus armeniaca
˝ Prunus mandshurica
˝ Malus mandshurica
˝ Prunus sibirica
˝ Crataegus pinnatifida
Juglandaceae Juglans regia
Betulaceae Betula pendula
Sinia divina Fabaceae Sophora flavescens Asteraceae Cirsium japonicum
˝ Erigeron annuus
˝ Breea segeta
Fabaceae Sophora flavescens
˝ Trifolium repens
Lamiaceae Prunella vulgaris
Rosaceae Rubus sp.
Protantigius superans Salicaceae Populus davidiana Primulaceae Lysimachia clethroides
Juglandaceae Juglans regia ˝ Lysimachia barystachys
˝ Juglans mandshurica Fabaceae Pisum sativum
Cigaritis takanonis Asteraceae Erigeron annuus
Primulaceae Lysimachia clethroides
Fagaceae Castanea crenata
Melitaea ambigua Scrophulariaceae Siphonostegia chinensis Fabaceae Trifolium repens
˝ Veronica undulata Brassicaceae Arabis hirsuta
˝ Veronicastrum sibiricum ˝ Berteroella maximowiczii
˝ Melampyrum roseum ˝ Cardamine leucantha
Asteraceae Artemisia japonica ˝ Barbarea orthoceras
Plantaginaceae Plantago asiatica ˝ Brassica sativus
˝ Brassica rapa
Onagraceae Oenothera biennis
Asteraceae Erigeron annuus
˝ Crepidiastrum sonchifolium
˝ Cirsium japonicum
˝ Carduus crispus
Valerianaceae Valeriana fauriei
Rosaceae Spiraea salicifolia
˝ Rubus idaeus
Boraginaceae Trigonotis peduncularis
Scrophulariaceae Veronicastrum sibiricum
Primulaceae Lysimachia clethroides
Staphyleaceae Staphylea bumalda
Aceraceae Acer tataricum
Hydrangeaceae Philadelphus schrenkii
Argynnis nerippe Violaceae Viola sp. Fabaceae Lespedeza cyrtobotrya
Asteraceae Cirsium japonicum
˝ Erigeron annuus
˝ Cosmos bipinnatus
˝ Senecio nemorensis
˝ Cirsium pendulum
˝ Inula japonica
˝ Coreopsis basalis
˝ Zinnia elegans
˝ Breea segeta
Primulaceae Lysimachia clethroides
Lamiaceae Scabiosa comosa
Rosaceae Sorbaria sorbifolia
Valerianaceae Patrinia serratulifolia
Lamiaceae Prunella vulgaris
Geraniaceae Geranium koreanum
Leptalina unicolor Poaceae Spodipogon cotulifer Fabaceae Trifolium repens
˝ Spodipogon sibiricus Hydrangeaceae Deutzia uniflora
˝ Miscanthus sinensis Asteraceae Erigeron annuus
˝ Imperata cylindrica Liliaceae Lilium sp.
˝ Setaria viridis Valerianaceae Valeriana dageletiana
˝ Miscanthus sinensis
˝ Phragmites australis
Chalinga pratti Pinaceae Pinus koraiensis Asteraceae Erigeron annuus
Apiaceae Heracleum moellendorffii
Phengaris kurentzovi Rosaceae Sanguisorba officinalis Rosaceae Sanguisorba officinalis
Lamiaceae Scabiosa comosa
Asteraceae Cirsium japonicum
Phengaris teleius Rosaceae Sanguisorba officinalis Rosaceae Sanguisorba officinalis
˝ Sanguisorba tenuifolia ˝ Spiraea salicifolia
˝ Sanguisorba hakusanensis Asteraceae Cirsium japonicum
Fabaceae Lespedeza bicolor
Lythraceae Lythrum salicaria
Lamiaceae Clinopodium chinense
Plebejus subsolanus Fabaceae Vicia unijuga Crassulaceae Phedimus aizoon
˝ Vicia amoena Asteraceae Erigeron annuus
˝ Cirsium japonicum
Fabaceae Vicia amoena
˝ Trifolium repens
Scrophulariaceae Pseudolysimachion linariifolium
Hydrangeaceae Deutzia parviflora
Melitaea latefascia Scrophulariaceae Siphonostegia chinensis Asteraceae Erigeron annuus
˝ Veronica undulata ˝ Cirsium japonicum
Plantaginaceae Plantago asiatica ˝ Breea segeta
Fabaceae Trifolium repens
˝ Lespedeza bicolor
˝ Astragalus sinicus
Primulaceae Lysimachia clethroides
Brassicaceae Arabis hirsuta
Rosaceae Rubus crataegifolius
˝ Potentilla fragarioides
Hydrangeaceae Philadelphus tenuifolius
Table 2

Butterfly species using host and nectar plants as food sources

Host plant Nectar plant


Plant family Butterfly species Plant species Butterfly species Plant family Butterfly species Plant species Butterfly species
Juglandaceae Protantigius superans Sanguisorba tenuifolia Phengaris teleius Staphyleaceae Melitaea ambigua Vicia unijuga Plebejus subsolanus
˝ Aporia crataegi Carex humilis Hipparchia autonoe Asteraceae Phengaris teleius ˝ Aporia crataegi
Asteraceae Melitaea ambigua Juglans mandshurica Protantigius superans ˝ Melitaea latefascia Erigeron annuus Melitaea latefascia
Crassulaceae Parnassius bremeri Phragmites australis Leptalina unicolor ˝ Phengaris kurentzovi ˝ Plebejus subsolanus
Salicaceae Protantigius superans Vicia unijuga Plebejus subsolanus ˝ Parnassius bremeri ˝ Cigaritis takanonis
Poaceae Hipparchia autonoe Setaria viridis Leptalina unicolor ˝ Hipparchia autonoe ˝ Melitaea ambigua
˝ Leptalina unicolor Elymus tsukushiensis Hipparchia autonoe ˝ Plebejus subsolanus ˝ Argynnis nerippe
Cyperaceae Hipparchia autonoe Prunus armeniaca Aporia crataegi ˝ Aporia crataegi ˝ Leptalina unicolor
Pinaceae Chalinga pratti Malus micromalus Aporia crataegi ˝ Cigaritis takanonis ˝ Sinia divina
Betulaceae Aporia crataegi Sophora flavescens Sinia divina ˝ Melitaea ambigua ˝ Chalinga pratti
Rosaceae Phengaris teleius Spodipogon cotulifer Leptalina unicolor ˝ Argynnis nerippe Philadelphus schrenkii Melitaea ambigua
˝ Phengaris kurentzovi Phedimus aizoon Parnassius bremeri ˝ Leptalina unicolor Crepidiastrum sonchifolium Melitaea ambigua
˝ Aporia crataegi Festuca ovina Hipparchia autonoe ˝ Sinia divina Sophora flavescens Sinia divina
Violaceae Argynnis nerippe Vicia unijuga Plebejus subsolanus ˝ Chalinga pratti Staphylea bumalda Melitaea ambigua
Plantaginaceae Melitaea latefascia Veronicastrum sibiricum Melitaea ambigua Lamiaceae Phengaris teleius Coreopsis basalis Argynnis nerippe
˝ Melitaea ambigua Imperata cylindrica Leptalina unicolor ˝ Hipparchia autonoe Senecio nemorensis Hipparchia autonoe
Fabaceae Plebejus subsolanus Sorbus commixta Aporia crataegi ˝ Argynnis nerippe ˝ Argynnis nerippe
˝ Sinia divina Chaenomeles speciosa Aporia crataegi ˝ Sinia divina Inula japonica Argynnis nerippe
Scrophulariaceae Melitaea latefascia Veronica undulata Melitaea latefascia Aceraceae Melitaea ambigua Phedimus aizoon Parnassius bremeri
˝ Melitaea ambigua ˝ Melitaea ambigua Crassulaceae Parnassius bremeri ˝ Plebejus subsolanus
Pyrus pyrifolia Aporia crataegi ˝ Plebejus subsolanus Lysimachia barystachys Protantigius superans
Prunus serrulata Aporia crataegi Valerianaceae Parnassius bremeri Spiraea salicifolia Phengaris teleius
Malus pumila Aporia crataegi ˝ Melitaea ambigua ˝ Melitaea ambigua
Populus davidiana Protantigius superans ˝ Argynnis nerippe Pseudolysimachion linariifolium Plebejus subsolanus
Crataegus pinnatifida Aporia crataegi ˝ Leptalina unicolor Trigonotis peduncularis Melitaea ambigua
Sanguisorba hakusanensis Phengaris teleius Apiaceae Chalinga pratti Prunella vulgaris Hipparchia autonoe
Prunus armeniaca Aporia crataegi Onagraceae Melitaea ambigua ˝ Argynnis nerippe
Melampyrum roseum Melitaea ambigua Liliaceae Leptalina unicolor ˝ Sinia divina
Prunus sibirica Aporia crataegi Lythraceae Phengaris teleius Barbarea orthoceras Melitaea ambigua
Miscanthus sinensis Leptalina unicolor Dipsacaceae Phengaris kurentzovi Lilium sp. Leptalina unicolor
Sanguisorba officinalis Phengaris teleius ˝ Hipparchia autonoe Rubus idaeus Parnassius bremeri
˝ Phengaris kurentzovi ˝ Argynnis nerippe ˝ Melitaea ambigua
Betula pendula Aporia crataegi Caryophyllaceae Aporia crataegi Veronicastrum sibiricum Melitaea ambigua
Pinus koraiensis Chalinga pratti Hydrangeaceae Melitaea latefascia Valeriana dageletiana Leptalina unicolor
Siphonostegia chinensis Melitaea latefascia ˝ Plebejus subsolanus Oenothera biennis Melitaea ambigua
˝ Melitaea ambigua ˝ Melitaea ambigua Clinopodium micranthum Hipparchia autonoe
Viola sp. Argynnis nerippe ˝ Leptalina unicolor Geranium koreanum Argynnis nerippe
Artemisia japonica Melitaea ambigua Brassicaceae Melitaea latefascia Rubus sp. Sinia divina
Plantago asiatica Melitaea latefascia ˝ Melitaea ambigua Patrinia serratulifolia Argynnis nerippe
˝ Melitaea ambigua Primulaceae Protantigius superans Deutzia parviflora Plebejus subsolanus
Miscanthus sinensis Leptalina unicolor ˝ Melitaea latefascia Deutzia uniflora Leptalina unicolor
Spodipogon sibiricus Leptalina unicolor ˝ Cigaritis takanonis Brassica sativus Melitaea ambigua
Malus mandshurica Aporia crataegi ˝ Melitaea ambigua Cardamine leucantha Melitaea ambigua
Carex erythrobasis Hipparchia autonoe ˝ Argynnis nerippe Castanea crenata Cigaritis takanonis
Rosa rugosa Aporia crataegi Rosaceae Phengaris teleius Brassica rapa Melitaea ambigua
Juglans regia Protantigius superans ˝ Melitaea latefascia Thymus quinquecostatus Hipparchia autonoe
˝ Aporia crataegi ˝ Phengaris kurentzovi Zinnia elegans Argynnis nerippe
˝ Parnassius bremeri Lythrum salicaria Phengaris teleius
˝ Melitaea ambigua Rubus crataegifolius Melitaea latefascia
˝ Argynnis nerippe ˝ Parnassius bremeri
˝ Sinia divina Scabiosa comosa Phengaris kurentzovi
Geraniaceae Argynnis nerippe ˝ Hipparchia autonoe
Boraginaceae Melitaea ambigua ˝ Argynnis nerippe
Fagaceae Cigaritis takanonis Pedicularis resupinata Hipparchia autonoe
Fabaceae Phengaris teleius Sorbaria sorbifolia Argynnis nerippe
˝ Protantigius superans Acer tataricum Melitaea ambigua
˝ Melitaea latefascia Lespedeza bicolor Phengaris teleius
˝ Parnassius bremeri ˝ Melitaea latefascia
˝ Plebejus subsolanus Robinia pseudoacacia Parnassius bremeri
˝ Aporia crataegi Philadelphus tenuifolius Melitaea latefascia
˝ Melitaea ambigua Potentilla fragarioides Melitaea latefascia
˝ Argynnis nerippe Heracleum moellendorffii Chalinga pratti
˝ Leptalina unicolor Cirsium japonicum Phengaris teleius
˝ Sinia divina ˝ Melitaea latefascia
Scrophulariaceae Hipparchia autonoe ˝ Phengaris kurentzovi
˝ Plebejus subsolanus ˝ Parnassius bremeri
˝ Melitaea ambigua ˝ Hipparchia autonoe
˝ Plebejus subsolanus
˝ Aporia crataegi
˝ Melitaea ambigua
˝ Argynnis nerippe
˝ Sinia divina
Sanguisorba officinalis Phengaris teleius
˝ Phengaris kurentzovi
Pisum sativum Protantigius superans
Astragalus sinicus Melitaea latefascia
Berteroella maximowiczii Melitaea ambigua
Breea segeta Melitaea latefascia
˝ Aporia crataegi
˝ Argynnis nerippe
˝ Sinia divina
Valeriana fauriei Parnassius bremeri
˝ Melitaea ambigua
Carduus crispus Melitaea ambigua
Lespedeza cyrtobotrya Argynnis nerippe
Clinopodium chinense Phengaris teleius
Cosmos bipinnatus Argynnis nerippe
Lysimachia clethroides Protantigius superans
˝ Melitaea latefascia
˝ Cigaritis takanonis
˝ Melitaea ambigua
˝ Argynnis nerippe
Cirsium pendulum Argynnis nerippe
Arabis hirsuta Melitaea latefascia
˝ Melitaea ambigua
Trifolium repens Melitaea latefascia
˝ Plebejus subsolanus
˝ Aporia crataegi
˝ Melitaea ambigua
˝ Leptalina unicolor
˝ Sinia divina
Dianthus chinensis Aporia crataegi
Pedicularis hallaisanensis Hipparchia autonoe