U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Poweshiek Skipperling The Poweshiek skipperling is listed as endangered under the Endangered Act. Endangered species are and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct. Identifying, protecting and restoring endangered species is a primary objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species program.

What is the Poweshiek skipperling? Appearance: The Poweshiek skipperling is a small with a wing-span of about 1 inch. It is dark brown above with some light orange along the wing margins and a lighter

orange head. The underside of the Photo Courtesy of the Minnesota Zoo/Erik Runquist wings, which can be seen when it’s The future of the Poweshiek skipperling may depend on captive propagation at rest, are dark to light brown with combined with reintroductions. This skipperling was reared at the very prominent white veins that may Minnesota zoo. make the wing look striped.

Habitat: Poweshiek skipperlings such as purple coneflower (Echinacea Minnesota and Iowa within the live in high quality tallgrass prairie in angustifolia), blackeyed susan last 10 years – an area that, until both upland, dry areas as well as low, (Rudbeckia hirta) and palespike recently, contained the vast majority moist areas. In Michigan they are lobelia (Lobelia spicata). Because of the surviving populations. It is found mainly in prairie fens, a type of limited research has been done now known only from Wisconsin, wet prairie. on the Poweshiek skipperling, we Michigan and Manitoba. During are not certain which plant species surveys in 2014, the species could be Reproduction: Poweshiek are necessary for the larvae to found only at a few sites in a single skipperling larvae (caterpillars) develop, although we know they Michigan county, in very limited hibernate on the ground during select native, fine-stemmed grasses numbers at one site in Wisconsin, and winter; they resume activity in and sedges such as little bluestem in Canada at the single Manitoba site. spring and continue developing (Schizachyrium scoparium) and until they pupate and emerge as prairie dropseeed (Sporobolus Why is the Poweshiek adult between mid- heterolepis). skipperling an endangered June and mid-July. Adults have species? a short lifespan of only one to two Range: Historically, Poweshiek Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: weeks and during this time they skipperlings were found in Only about 4 percent of the original mate and lay eggs. Larvae hatch tallgrass prairie and prairie fens tallgrass native prairie in the United during late summer; they feed and from Manitoba to Iowa, with States remains. Much of what is develop through early fall and then populations also found in Michigan left is in small, isolated sites, so the overwinter to continue development and Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the butterfly generally cannot move the following spring. range is now much less and has from site to site. If the Poweshiek been declining for some time. The skipperling is lost at a site, there Feeding Habits: Adult butterflies Poweshiek skipperling may have are often no nearby populations to feed on nectar from prairie flowers been extirpated from the Dakotas, recolonize. Habitat Management: In appropriately managed. These may addition to the loss of large blocks be publicly owned lands or they may of contiguous prairie, the native be protected through easements grasslands that remain are often not and financial incentives on private managed in ways that can support lands. In light of the species’ highly Poweshiek skipperlings. Historically, endangered status, its conservation wildfire helped maintain the treeless in the wild may only be secured by nature of prairies. Today, grazing, placing a high priority on conserving haying and prescribed burns may remaining populations. Attempts are replicate that effect. However, being made to develop methods to grazing or burning that is too intense, propagate the species in captivity, but too frequent or conducted during it will be unusually difficult to keep in the wrong time of the year may not captivity. Therefore, conservation of create conditions suitable for the the few remaining wild populations Poweshiek or may kill too many of the is extremely important. The Service butterflies to sustain the population. will cooperate with conservation partners to control and remove What is being done to conserve invasive species, such as glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus), and the Poweshiek skipperling? to undertake other actions that Listing: Listing the Poweshiek will alleviate threats to remaining skipperling as endangered under populations and improve their the Endangered Species Act will viability. help focus attention and funds on the butterfly and the habitat that it needs to survive. What can I do to help prevent extinction of the species? Research: We have limited Spread the Word: Learn more information on the Poweshiek about the Poweshiek skipperling skipperling’s life history and exact and other rare and declining species. Understand how the destruction of habitat requirements. Research habitat leads to loss our nation’s plant is needed to determine land and diversity. Tell others what management regimes that will help you have learned. this butterfly survive and provide information that may allow us to Join: Join a conservation group; reintroduce it into formerly occupied many have local chapters, or habitats. A study is ongoing to volunteer at a local nature center, zoo understand the genetic diversity or National Wildlife Refuge. of surviving populations. This information will help us determine Native plants: Provide habitat if management is needed to increase for butterflies by planting native diversity of remaining populations vegetation in your yard. Avoid using and will help ensure any captive invasive non-native plants like purple propagation will result in genetically loosestrife and dame’s rocket and robust populations. In addition, remove invasive non-natives, like researchers are looking into potential buckthorn and honeysuckle if they causes for the sharp and widespread invade your yard. decline of the species that has occurred during the past 10 to 20 Minimize: Use as little herbicide, years. insecticide and fertilizer as possible or avoid pesticides and insecticides Habitat Protection and entirely. Pesticides may harm Management: Where possible, butterflies and other pollinators and, high quality prairie and prairie along with fertilizers, can harm water www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered fens need to be protected and quality. October 2014