Metapopulation dynamics of the froghopper Neophilaenus albipennis (F., 1798) (Homoptera, Cercopidae) - what is the minimum viable metapopulation size?

The occurrence of the froghopper Neophilaenus albipennis was surveyed in a network of 506 patches of its host plant Brachypodium pinnatum. The occupancy pattern largely depends on the size and isolation of the habitat patches. Together with the observed turnover this indicates a metapopulation structure. In order to simulate the dynamics of the metapopulation the incidence function model was used. The model was successfully fitted to the field data. Impacts on the metapopulation were simulated and the probability of survival of the whole metapopulation was estimated. Implications for conservation, especially the minimum viable metapopulation size, are discussed.