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Home > Iowa Academy of Science > Journals & Newsletters > Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science > Volume 105 (1998) > Number 1

 

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Speyeria idalia, butterfly, Violaceae, prairie, habitat fragmentation, extirpation

Abstract

The Regal Fritillary butterfly, Speyeria idalia Drury (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Argynninae), is a prairie endemic species which has exhibited a dramatic decline in Iowa during the last few decades. Tallgrass prairie is the primary habitat of S. idalia and the butterfly's presence is correlated with the presence of violets (Violaceae). Due to the extensive habitat fragmentation of Iowa prairies, both the butterfly and its host plant populations are limited primarily to unplowed, relatively pristine prairies. Thus, S. idalia is an excellent case study of a prairie endemic species. Here, we report on the results of a two-year survey of the insect and its host plants in Iowa. During 1995, we conducted extensive surveys of 52 prairies in southern Iowa and found S. idalia in 11 of those prairies. During 1996, we conducted more intensive surveys comparing eight Iowa prairies to prairies in Kansas, South Dakota, and North Dakota to examine the hypothesis that larval host plant limitation may be causing the decline of S. idalia. Our data show that Iowa prairies have lower hostplant availability and also have lower butterfly weights. We discuss the future prospects for the species and suggest various management scenarios that might aid in preserving the butterfly.

Publication Date

March 1998

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

105

Issue

1

First Page

16

Last Page

22

Copyright

© Copyright 1998 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

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