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Population size and conservation of the last eastern remnants of the regal fritillary, Speyeria idalia (Drury) [Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae]; implications for temperate grassland restoration

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Abstract

We monitored the last remaining Pennsylvania population of the regal fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) for 8 years (1997–2005) at Fort Indiantown Gap, a National Guard training facility located in south-central Pennsylvania, USA. We observed demes of this population in five grassland areas, four of which received limited protection from anthropogenic military activities (i.e., motorized vehicles were prohibited). The Pollard walk technique allowed us to make estimates of butterfly density over the consecutive 8 years period. Mark/Recapture estimates of population size were done in 2005. Of the three areas surveyed for relative abundance over the entire 8 years period, none showed significant changes in relative population density of adult butterflies, indicating that the population remained stable over the 8 years. Mark-recapture estimates of population size in 2005 indicate that this population reached a peak of 913 butterflies that year. The stability of population size occurred despite efforts to improve habitat. Dead caterpillars were found over 3 years in some fields indicating that caterpillar habitat includes both violets (caterpillar food plants) and mature warm season grasses approximately 5 years post-disturbance. These disturbances are caused by military activity such as motorized vehicle training that reduces areas to bare soil. These activities are now banned in protected butterfly areas.

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Acknowledgments

Gylla MacGregor, Denise Johnson, Dave Zapotok, Lindsay Zemba, Andrew Mehring, Fred Habegger, Sarah Hamsher, Ron Evans, Angela Edmunds, Jessica Kindt, Berget Magagna, Amy Carnell, Peter Mooreside, Mark T. Swartz, and Rosemary Spreha assisted with data collection, field work, and data entry. Their contributions, ideas and enthusiasm were invaluable and greatly appreciated. We are also grateful to Ann Swengel and Scott Swengel for suggestions on analyses and to early drafts. Gregory Paulson, Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., and two anonymous reviewers provided valuable comments to drafts. Special thanks go to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (PAARNG) for granting access to field sites and providing vehicles for field use. This project was sponsored by the PAARNG (Cooperative Agreement # DAHA36-01-2-9001). The content of the information does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the United States Government, and no official endorsement should be inferred. Funding for this project was also provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).

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  1. Department of Biology, Shippensburg University, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA, 17257, USA

    Betty Ferster

  2. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware State University, 1200 N. DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE, 19901-2277, USA

    Kevina Vulinec

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  1. Betty Ferster
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Correspondence to Betty Ferster.

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Ferster, B., Vulinec, K. Population size and conservation of the last eastern remnants of the regal fritillary, Speyeria idalia (Drury) [Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae]; implications for temperate grassland restoration. J Insect Conserv 14, 31–42 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-009-9222-5

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