Expansion and Naturalization of Adventive Butterfly Species (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) on the Northeastern Part of the Russian Plain

Data on composition and naturalization patterns of more than twenty adventive butterfly species that expanded to the northeastern part of the Russian Plain during the period of 1990-2021 are compiled. It is shown that lines of transport communications such as highways, railways, power lines, and gas and oil pipelines serve as the main immigration corridors for butterfly species from southern regions. Anthropogenic transformation of indigenous taiga forests through industrial logging operations, largely expanding areas of open habitats, which are more suitable for butterflies, promotes successful naturalization of adventive species. Linear systems of technical and industrial constructions together with river valleys play a role of seminatural corridors for the expansion of adventive species. Furthermore, secondary small-leaved and mixed forests surrounded by a network of forest edges and meadows represent a kind of staging areas for the establishment of populations of adventive species. Groups of adventive species are delineated on the basis of their naturalization status that was estimated on the basis of an integral assessment of their biocenotic stability and landscape activity. A conclusion is drawn that ongoing expansion and naturalization of adventive butterfly species on the northeastern part of the Russian Plain will increase changes in the composition of local and zonal faunas and the spatial and typological structure of their populations.

Automated summary

Data on the composition and naturalization patterns of more than twenty adventive butterfly species that colonized the northeastern part of the Russian Plain from 1990 to 2021 were compiled. The study revealed that transport communication lines and anthropogenic transformation of forests played significant roles in the immigration and successful establishment of these species.