Habitat management interventions for a specialist mid- successional grassland butterfly, the Lulworth Skipper

Evidence-based management is needed to reverse declines in insect abundance. The Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon is a range-restricted and declining species associated with mid-successional grassland, presenting challenges because interventions are necessary to prevent long-term habitat deterioration but can result in short-term reductions in quality. In addition, site management should be compatible for the focal species and for wider plant and insect diversity. We conducted factorial experimental management trials to understand effects of cutting and rotovation on the height and structure of vegetation containing the larval host plant Tor-grass Brachypodium rupestre. We monitored vegetation height, B. rupestre cover and plant diversity, and T. acteon larval presence over four years. Rotovation and cutting differed in their effects on habitat structure and larval occupancy relative to controls.  Vegetation height and host plant cover, the most important components of habitat quality..., , , # Habitat management interventions for a specialist mid- successional grassland butterfly, the Lulworth Skipper

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.mgqnk996v](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.mgqnk996v)

The dataset contains two csv files;

\- plotdata_2018_2021 contains the data used to look at effects on larval occupancy including the descriptive summary, Kruskal Wallis Tests and GLMMs on larval occupancy.

\- plotdata_simpsons contains similar data to the above but with an extra column on plant diversity index (Simpsons).

The results are based on management trial plots in a factorial design, whereby effects of cut and rotovate on Lulworth Skipper occupancy were tested. Data includes habitat information on vegetation height and food plant frequency.

## **Description of the data and file structure**

The column headings are as follows:

year = year of survey

sites = sites

plot = plot ID

replicate = replicate ID

treatment = plot treatment

cut = whether a plot was cut (1) or not cut (0)
...