Erica en het Groentje

A population of Calophrys rubi was studied in a relict area of wet heathland in the western part of Belgium. Caterpillars were found tot feed on the flowers heads of Erica.tetralix. Part of the Erica vegetation is annually mown in august, while a small part is mown by a rotational cycle of three years. It is demonstrated that the biomass and the number of flower heads of E.tetralix are statistically higher after an interval of three years of succession. Quadrat sampling revealed that, consequently, the number of caterpillars and pupae increased significantly as well, compared to the usual annual mowing. Wandering behaviour of C.rubi was noticed in the surrounding area. The importance of sunny road verges and woodland edges is emphasised for the dispersal capacity of the