Abstract In this study we apply a new monitoring 1890 technique for butterflies in order to get more insights into the habitat use patterns of Erebia christi Rätzer (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae). This European endemic is a rare and very localized butterfly species, found alongside steep slopes in a restricted area in the Alps, at the border between Italy and Switzerland. Even though it was discovered almost 140 years ago, captivating the interest of many lepidopterists, there are still several aspects about the biology of E. christi that are not fully known. We selected two monitoring sites in Veglia–Devero Natural Park, Italy and tested whether E. christi was more likely to use rocky, almost vertical slopes than other types of habitat. Since this habitat was almost inaccessible to humans, we used the single rope access technique, in which field operators rappelled down the slopes to explore the rock faces. We demonstrate that the main characteristics of the typical habitat of E. christi are indeed very steep rock faces with grassy ledges where Festuca sp. plants are present. We also show that, E. christi is more abundant than it was previously thought, with populations that could probably be structured in a metapopulation system. Long-term monitoring with the rope access technique could represent an optimal method to provide key insights into the biology and ecology not only of E. christi but of other butterflies that use similar habitats. Finally, we propose the upgrading of its IUCN category from Vulnerable to Endangered at European level. Implications for insect conservation Our findings demonstrate how appropriate, long-term monitoring can contribute to improve the scarce knowledge of the ecology of an elusive species, and to devise informed proposals regarding the management and protection of populations, especially for species of conservation concern.

中文翻译：

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使用单绳索取技术揭示了难以捉摸的 Erebia christi（鳞翅目：蛱蝶科）的栖息地使用模式

摘要 在这项研究中，我们对蝴蝶应用了一种新的 1890 监测技术，以便更深入地了解 Erebia christi Rätzer（蛱蝶科：Satyrinae）的栖息地利用模式。这种欧洲特有的蝴蝶是一种罕见且非常本土化的蝴蝶物种，在意大利和瑞士边境的阿尔卑斯山禁区内的陡坡旁发现。尽管它是在将近 140 年前被发现的，引起了许多鳞翅目昆虫的兴趣，但关于 E. christi 的生物学仍有几个方面尚未完全了解。我们选择了意大利 Veglia-Devero 自然公园的两个监测点，并测试 E. christi 是否比其他类型的栖息地更可能使用岩石、几乎垂直的斜坡。由于人类几乎无法进入这个栖息地，我们使用了单绳进入技术，现场操作员沿着斜坡下降以探索岩面。我们证明了 E. christi 典型栖息地的主要特征确实是非常陡峭的岩壁和长满草的岩壁，Festuca sp. 植物存在。我们还表明，E. christi 比以前认为的更丰富，其种群可能在一个复合种群系统中构建。使用绳索接入技术进行长期监测可以代表一种最佳方法，不仅可以提供对 E. christi 以及使用类似栖息地的其他蝴蝶的生物学和生态学的关键见解。最后，我们建议将其 IUCN 类别从欧洲级别的易危升级为濒危。对昆虫保护的影响我们的研究结果表明，