DOCSLIB.ORG

Conservation Strategy for the Eastern Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) in Iowa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Conservation Strategy for the Eastern Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) in Iowa Conservation Strategy for the Eastern Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in Iowa Version 2.1 Approved October 22, 2018 Meeting notes section updated 7/24/2020 ______________________________________________________________________________ Cover Page The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium members approved Version 2.1 of the Monarch Conservation Strategy and its implementation on October 22, 2018. Consortium members include: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship; Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Iowa State University; Alliant Energy; BASF; Bayer CropScience; Blank Park Zoo; Bur Oak Land Trust; Central College; Cornell College; Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont; Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives; Iowa Cattlemen’s Association; Iowa Corn Growers Association; Iowa County Conservation System; Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Nature Conservancy; Iowa Pork Producers Association; Iowa Soybean Association; Iowa Renewable Fuels Association; Iowa Turkey Federation; Iowa Wildlife Federation; ITC Midwest; Luther College; Muscatine Island Research Farm Association, Fruitland, Iowa; Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association, Nashua IA; North Central Iowa Research Association, Kanawha IA; Northwest Iowa Experimental Association, Sutherland IA; Pheasants Forever; Polk County Conservation; Practical Farmers of Iowa; Prudenterra; Soil and Water Conservation Society; Southeast Iowa Agricultural Research Association, Crawfordsville, Iowa; Story County Conservation; Syngenta; Western Iowa Experimental Farm Association, Castana Iowa; University of Northern Iowa Tallgrass Prairie Center; United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit; Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development, Lewis Iowa; Whiterock Conservancy. Consortium partners include Environmental Defense Fund, Monarch Watch, Sand County Foundation, Trees Forever, University of Minnesota Monarch Butterfly Laboratory, and the Women Food & Ag Network. www.iowamonarchs.info 1 7Table of Contents 1.0 Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 8 2.0 Summary .......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Monarch Life History .................................................................................................................. 9 2.2 Eastern Monarch Population Status ............................................................................................. 9 2.3 Monarch Conservation in Iowa: The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium ....................... 11 2.4 The Goal of the Conservation Strategy ..................................................................................... 11 2.5 Strategy Highlights .................................................................................................................... 12 2.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 14 3.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 16 3.1 Background ................................................................................................................................ 16 3.2 Legal Status and Authority ........................................................................................................ 18 3.2.1 ESA Background................................................................................................................ 19 3.2.1.1 Pre-Listing Conservation Options .................................................................................. 21 3.2.1.2 Post-Listing Conservation Options ................................................................................ 21 3.2.2 Iowa Monarch Conservation Strategy Conservation Option ............................................. 22 3.3 Species Information ................................................................................................................... 22 3.3.1 Distribution of Monarchs ................................................................................................... 22 3.3.2 The Annual Cycle of the Eastern Monarch Population...................................................... 23 3.3.3 The Importance of Milkweed ............................................................................................. 24 3.3.4 Flowering Plants ................................................................................................................ 25 3.4 Status of Eastern Monarch Populations ..................................................................................... 25 3.4.1 Historic Overview .............................................................................................................. 25 3.4.2 Current Status ..................................................................................................................... 26 3.5 Potential Threats ........................................................................................................................ 28 3.5.1 Deforestation of Overwintering Habitat ............................................................................. 28 3.5.2 Loss of Forage Sources ...................................................................................................... 28 3.5.3 Loss of Breeding Habitat ................................................................................................... 29 3.5.4 Potential Impacts of Increased Milkweed Density on Larval Survival .............................. 32 3.5.4.1 Predators and Parasites ................................................................................................... 32 3.5.4.2 Pathogens ....................................................................................................................... 33 4.0 Species Population and Habitat Goals ........................................................................................... 34 4.1 Range-wide and Iowa Summary of Population and Habitat Goals ........................................... 34 4.2 Designing a Landscape to Conserve the Eastern Monarch Butterfly in Iowa ........................... 36 4.3 Designing Habitat Patches for the Eastern Monarch Butterfly in Iowa ..................................... 36 2 5.0 Species Conservation in Iowa ........................................................................................................ 37 5.1 Administration ........................................................................................................................... 37 5.1.1 Executive Committee ......................................................................................................... 37 5.1.2 Technical Committee ......................................................................................................... 37 5.1.3 Coordination with Regional and National Monarch Conservation Efforts ........................ 38 5.1.3.1 Department of Natural Resources Monarch Conservation Activities ............................ 38 5.1.3.2 USDA NRCS ................................................................................................................ 39 5.1.3.3 USDA FSA .................................................................................................................... 39 5.1.3.4 NC1205- Monarch Conservation ................................................................................... 40 5.1.3.5 Monarch Conservation Science Partnership .................................................................. 40 5.1.3.6 Keystone Monarch Collaborative .................................................................................. 41 5.1.3.7 Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium ...................................................................... 41 5.1.3.8 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies .................................................................... 41 5.1.3.9 Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies ..................................................... 41 5.1.4 Measuring Progress ............................................................................................................ 42 5.1.4.1 Human Behaviors ........................................................................................................... 42 5.1.4.2 Outputs ........................................................................................................................... 43 5.1.4.3 Outcomes ....................................................................................................................... 43 5.2 Data Management ...................................................................................................................... 44 5.2.1 Objective 1 – Assemble a Data Management Workgroup ................................................. 45 5.2.2 Objective 2 – Identify Data Needs ..................................................................................... 46 5.2.3 Objective 3 – Acquire Required Data and Permissions ..................................................... 46 5.2.4 Objective 4 – Establish Data Management Protocols ........................................................ 46 5.2.5 Objective 5
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bwsr Featured Plant Minnesota's Milkweeds
    BWSR FEATURED PLANT MINNESOTA’S MILKWEEDS Publication Date: 6‐1‐13 Milkweeds play a key role in wetlands, prairies, savannas and forests in Minnesota. The genus (Asclepias) is particularly important as a nectar and larval food source for a wide range of insect species. The best known example is the monarch butterfly whose larvae appear to feed only on milkweeds. Milkweeds have a unique pollination mechanism where pollen grains are enclosed in waxy sacs called “pollina” that attach to the legs of butterflies, moths, bees, ants and wasps and are then deposited in another milkweed flower if they step into a specialized anther opening. Most milkweeds are toxic to vertebrate herbivores due to cardiac glycosides that are in their plant cells. In addition to supporting insect populations, Butterfly Milkweed milkweeds also provide other landscape benefits due to their extensive root systems (sometimes deep roots, sometimes horizontal) that Photos by Dave Hanson decrease compaction, add organic material to the soil and improve unless otherwise stated water infiltration. Common milkweed is probably the best known milkweed species as it is found in all counties of the state and was included on some county prohibited noxious weed lists. The species was considered a common agricultural weed as its extensive root network made it difficult to remove from agricultural fields with cultivators. Now the species is effectively removed from genetically modified corn and soybean fields that are sprayed with herbicide. This practice has contributed to significant declines in milkweed species, with an estimated 58% decline in the Midwest between 1999 and 2010 and a corresponding 81% decline in monarch butterfly production (Pleasants & Oberhauser, 2013).
    [Show full text]
  • Taxonomic Revision of the Tribe Danaini (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae) from Myanmar
    JAPB191_proof ■ 5 February 2017 ■ 1/5 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity xxx (2017) 1e5 55 HOSTED BY Contents lists available at ScienceDirect 56 57 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 58 59 60 journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/japb 61 62 63 Original article 64 65 1 Taxonomic revision of the tribe Danaini (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: 66 2 67 3 Danainae) from Myanmar 68 4 69 a a a b a,* 5 Q4 Nan Zarchi Win , Eun Young Choi , Jong Bong Choi , Jinyoung Park , Jong Kyun Park 70 6 a 71 7 College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea b Department of Nature Survey, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, Republic of Korea 72 8 73 9 74 10 article info abstract 75 11 76 12 Article history: The tribe Danaini is reviewed for the first time from Myanmar. Ten species of four genera belonging to 77 13 Received 29 September 2016 two subtribes are taxonomically described. Identification keys for the subtribes, the genera, and all 78 14 Received in revised form species are provided. The adult illustrations for all examined species are also presented. 79 8 November 2016 15 Copyright Ó 2017, National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA). 80 Accepted 11 November 2016 16 Production and hosting by Elsevier. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// Available online xxx 81 17 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). 82 18 Keywords: 83 19 butterfly 84 20 Danaini 85 Danainae 21 86 Myanmar 22 87 23 88 24 89 25 Introduction Myanmar is one of the biologically diverse countries in main- 90 26 land Southeast Asia and rich in biodiversity.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Communities of Michigan: Classification and Description
    Natural Communities of Michigan: Classification and Description Prepared by: Michael A. Kost, Dennis A. Albert, Joshua G. Cohen, Bradford S. Slaughter, Rebecca K. Schillo, Christopher R. Weber, and Kim A. Chapman Michigan Natural Features Inventory P.O. Box 13036 Lansing, MI 48901-3036 For: Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division and Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division September 30, 2007 Report Number 2007-21 Version 1.2 Last Updated: July 9, 2010 Suggested Citation: Kost, M.A., D.A. Albert, J.G. Cohen, B.S. Slaughter, R.K. Schillo, C.R. Weber, and K.A. Chapman. 2007. Natural Communities of Michigan: Classification and Description. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Report Number 2007-21, Lansing, MI. 314 pp. Copyright 2007 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status or family status. Cover photos: Top left, Dry Sand Prairie at Indian Lake, Newaygo County (M. Kost); top right, Limestone Bedrock Lakeshore, Summer Island, Delta County (J. Cohen); lower left, Muskeg, Luce County (J. Cohen); and lower right, Mesic Northern Forest as a matrix natural community, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon County (M. Kost). Acknowledgements We thank the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division and Forest, Mineral, and Fire Management Division for funding this effort to classify and describe the natural communities of Michigan. This work relied heavily on data collected by many present and former Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) field scientists and collaborators, including members of the Michigan Natural Areas Council.
    [Show full text]
  • Monarch Butterfly, Danaus Plexippus Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae)1 Andrei Sourakov2
    EENY-442 Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae)1 Andrei Sourakov2 Introduction The monarchs, Danaus plexippus Linnaeus, are among the best known of the world’s butterflies due to their remark- able ability to migrate, wide distribution, and charismatic appearance. The last Pleistocene glaciations in North America instigated migration to Mexico in the east and to the Californian coast and deserts in the west. In the western U.S., the overwintering colonies are smaller and more numerous, while in Mexico, they are few but more spectacular, with billions of butterflies concentrating in one spot. Distribution Danaus plexippus is found throughout the Americas and Australia, with individuals reported in New Guinea and Western Europe. Sedentary populations that are found in Mexico, and Central and South America (including the Caribbean islands) are somewhat different from migratory Figure 1. Adult monarchs, Danaus plexippus Linnaeus, from Gainesville, populations of D. p. plexippus found in North America. Florida. Several subspecies, such as M. p. megalippe (Mexico, Credits: Andrei Sourakov, Florida Museum of Natural History southern U.S.) and M. p. menippe (South America) have Description been described. Monarchs fly from sea level up to 2,500 meters. Orange-and-black warning coloration of monarchs is noticeable, and its memorable pattern is directed at Some of the D. p. plexippus reach Cuba instead of Mexico, repelling insectivorous birds. Experiments conducted with where they mix with the resident population of D. p. captive blue jays showed that monarchs indeed are toxic megalippe, from which they noticeably differ in behavior (Brower et al. 1968). Being distasteful due to ingestion by and wing length and shape (Dockx 2007).
    [Show full text]
  • Predation of Anetia Briarea Godart (Nymphalidae
    Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 49(3), 1995, 223-233 PREDATION OF ANETIA BRIAREA GODART (NYMPHALIDAE: DANAINAE) AT AGGREGAllION SITES: A POTENTIAL THREAT TO THE SUR VIV AL OF A RARE MONT ANE BUTTERFLY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DEREK S. SIKES AND MICHAEL A. IVIE Department of Entomology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA ABSTRACT. Evidence of predation on Anetia briarea was discovered at the single known aggregation site on Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic. In addition to birds, feral rats (Rattus rattus L.) are hypothesized to be involved in predatory activity affecting the aggregation. Analyses show no biases in the sex, size, or color of A. briarea taken as prey. Steps that can be taken to protect the aggregating butterflies include removal of exotic rats from the colony area. RESUMEN. Evidencia de predacion de Anetia briarea fue descubierta en el unico sitio conocido de agregacion en Pico Duarte en la Republica Dominicana. Ademas de pajaros, se cree que ratas (Rattus rattus), estan involucradas en la predlacion de las colonias. Un amilisis de predacion de las colonias de A. briarea muestra no tendencia por el genero, tamaiio, 0 color de la presa. Actividades para proteger las mariposas que se estan agregando incluyen la eliminacion de las ratas extraiias del sitio de agregacion. Additional key words: rats, conservation biology, West Indies. Predation on butterflies, although thought to be important evolu­ tionarily, is rarely observed in the field (Brown & Vasconcellos 1976, Bowers et al. 1985, Brower & Calvert 1985). With the exception of the observations documenting predation of monarchs at overwintering sites (Brower & Calvert 1985, Sakai 1994) most of our knowledge regarding predation on butterflies is obtained indirectly by analysis of the evidence of predation, such as beak-marked (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • Monarch Butterflies and Their Habitat Across North America
    Monitoring Monarch Butterflies and Their Habitat across North America Inventory and Monitoring Protocols and Data Standards for Monarch Conservation Please cite as: CEC. 2017. Monitoring Monarch Butteries and eir Habitat across North America: Inventory and Monitoring Protocols and Data Standards for Monarch Conservation. Montreal, Canada: Commission for Environmental Cooperation. 48 pp. is publication was prepared by Holly Holt of Monarch Joint Venture (University of Minnesota) for the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. e information contained herein is the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reect the views of [the CEC, or] the governments of Canada, Mexico or the United States of America. Reproduction of this document in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-prot purposes may be made without special permission from the CEC Secretariat, provided acknowledgment of the source is made. e CEC would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication or material that uses this document as a source. Except where otherwise noted, this work is protected under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial–NoDerivative Works License. © Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 2017 ISBN: 978-2-89700-221-3 (e-version) Disponible en français – ISBN: 978-2-89700-223-7 (e-version) Disponible en español – ISBN: 978-2-89700-222-0 (e-version) Legal deposit – Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2017 Legal deposit – Library and Archives Canada, 2017 Publication Details Document category:
    [Show full text]
  • Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Biblidinae) and Patterns of Morphological Similarity Among Species from Eight Tribes of Nymphalidae
    Revista Brasileira de Entomologia http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0085-56262013005000006 External morphology of the adult of Dynamine postverta (Cramer) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Biblidinae) and patterns of morphological similarity among species from eight tribes of Nymphalidae Luis Anderson Ribeiro Leite1,2, Mirna Martins Casagrande1,3 & Olaf Hermann Hendrik Mielke1,4 1Departamento de Zoologia, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 19020, 81531–980 Curitiba-PR, Brasil. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT. External morphology of the adult of Dynamine postverta (Cramer) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Biblidinae) and patterns of morphological similarity among species from eight tribes of Nymphalidae. The external structure of the integument of Dynamine postverta postverta (Cramer, 1779) is based on detailed morphological drawings and scanning electron microscopy. The data are compared with other species belonging to eight tribes of Nymphalidae, to assist future studies on the taxonomy and systematics of Neotropical Biblidinae. KEYWORDS. Abdomen; head; Insecta; morphology; Papilionoidea; thorax. Nymphalidae is a large cosmopolitan family of butter- served in dorsal view (Figs. 1–4). Two subspecies are recog- flies, with about 7,200 described species (Freitas & Brown nized according to Lamas (2004), Dynamine postverta Jr. 2004) and is perhaps the most well documented biologi- postverta (Cramer, 1779) distributed in South America and cally (Harvey 1991; Freitas & Brown Jr. 2004; Wahlberg et Dynamine postverta mexicana d’Almeida, 1952 with a dis- al. 2005). The systematic relationships are still somewhat tribution restricted to Central America. Several species sur- unclear with respect to its subfamilies, tribes and genera, and veys and other studies cite this species as Dynamine mylitta even after more than a century of studies on these groups, (DeVries 1987; Mielke 1994; Miller et al.1999; Freitas & these relationships still seem to confuse many who set out to Brown, Jr.
    [Show full text]
  • Monarch (Danaus Plexippus) in Canada
    Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series Management Plan for the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) in Canada Monarch 2016 Recommended citation: Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2016. Management Plan for the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. iv + 45 pp. For copies of the management plan, or for additional information on species at risk, including the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Status Reports, residence descriptions, action plans, and other related recovery documents, please visit the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry1. Cover illustration: Monarch © Karine Bériault 2007 Également disponible en français sous le titre « Plan de gestion du monarque (Danaus plexippus) au Canada » © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2016. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-100-25735-8 Catalogue no. En3-5/71-2016E-PDF Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source. 1 http://sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=24F7211B-1 Management Plan for the Monarch 2016 PREFACE The federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996)2 agreed to establish complementary legislation and programs that provide for effective protection of species at risk throughout Canada. Under the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA), the federal competent ministers are responsible for the preparation of management plans for listed Special Concern species and are required to report on progress within five years after the publication of the final document on the SAR Public Registry.
    [Show full text]
  • Hybridization Between Asclepias Purpurascens and Asclepias Syriaca (Apocynaceae): a Cause for Concern?1
    Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 146(4): 278–290, 2019. Hybridization between Asclepias purpurascens and Asclepias syriaca (Apocynaceae): A cause for concern?1 Steven B. Broyles2,4 and Geordie Elkins3 2Biological Sciences Department, SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY 13045 and 3Highstead, 127 Lonetown Road, Redding, CT 06896 Abstract. Rare plant species can be at risk of hybridization, reduced genetic variation, and genetic assimilation when a numerically abundant congener co-occurs in or invades their habitat. We investigated hybridization between a species in decline, Asclepias purpurascens L., and its common and widespread congener, Asclepias syriaca L. A total of 40 morphological traits were measured on 60 flowering plants from a mixed population in Connecticut. Cluster and principal component analyses identified two distinct clusters of parental species taxa and a third cluster representing putative hybrids. Although leaf traits of putative hybrids were more similar to A. syriaca, floral traits and the morphological space on the principal component analysis were more similar to A. purpurascens. This suggests that the population contains a mix of F1 and advanced generation hybrids with the possibility of introgression into A. purpurascens. Although putative hybrids are intermediate for most traits, pollen counts reveal reduced fertility of presumed hybrid that might influence mating behaviors and increase the likelihood of backcrossing with A. purpurascens. We suggest a combination of morphological traits that better identify the two parental species as well as hybrids in the field. Conservationists should consider options of managing A. syriaca where A. purpurascens needs protection from competition to prevent genetic assimilation of the latter. Key words: Asclepias, conservation, hybridization Angiosperms abound with natural and anthro- 2015).
    [Show full text]
  • Open Myers THESIS.Pdf
    The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School School of Science, Engineering, and Technology IMPACT OF OZONE ON MILKWEED (ASCLEPIAS) SPECIES A Thesis in Environmental Pollution Control by Abigail C. Myers 2016 Abigail C. Myers Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science December 2016 The thesis of Abigail C. Myers was reviewed and approved* by the following: Dennis R. Decoteau Professor of Horticulture and Plant Ecosystem Health Thesis Advisor Donald D. Davis Professor of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology Richard Marini Professor of Horticulture Shirley Clark Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering Graduate Program Coordinator, Environmental Engineering and Environmental Pollution Control *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School ii Abstract Tropospheric (or ground level) ozone in ambient concentrations can damage vegetation and interfere with the human respiratory system. Plants as bioindicators of ozone are commonly used to detect phytotoxic levels of tropospheric ozone where physical/chemical/electrical monitoring equipment cannot be utilized due to expense, electrical needs, or availability of instruments. Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) has been effectively used as a bioindicator for ozone. Visual ozone injury on Common Milkweed is characterized as purple stippling of the upper surface of older leaves as the season progresses, the purple coloration of the upper leaf surface may encompass most of the leaf surface. While sensitivity to ozone has been documented on Common Milkweed, less is known about the ozone sensitivity of other Asclepias species and little is known regarding the concentration dose response of Common Milkweed to ozone and timing of visual symptoms. Of the Asclepias species evaluated Tropical Milkweed (A.
    [Show full text]
  • Propagating Native Milkweeds for Restoring Monarch Butterfly Habitat©
    Propagating Native Milkweeds for Restoring Monarch Butterfly Habitat© Thomas D. Landis and R. Kasten Dumroese 3248 Sycamore Way, Medford, Oregon 97504-9005, USA Email: [email protected] The number of monarch butterflies, charismatic nomads of North America, is rapidly declining. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), which are the sole food source for monarch caterpillars, have also experienced a decline throughout the breeding range of this butterfly. Milkweeds can be grown from seeds or vegetatively from root cuttings or rhizomes. Seed germination is often improved with stratification and plants are easily grown with standard propagation methods. However, some species require adjustments to the substrate to reflect unique soil conditions of their natural habitat. We encourage you to grow and outplant milkweeds to create habitat for monarch butterflies and help restore their populations. THE POPULATION CRASH OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES The causes behind the decline in pollinators are many, but most can be related either directly or indirectly to human activity. Habitat loss is always near the top of the list ― habitat destruction or fragmentation into small, disperse patches threatens all types of insect pollinators (Mader et al., 2011). Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are, however, an interesting example of pollinator decline because, unlike many other organisms that rely on one specialized habitat, adult monarchs are generalists that thrived all across North America ― that is, until recently. With its large size and striking orange and black coloration, the monarch butterfly has been considered the most well-known butterfly in the world (Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 2008). The monarch is a tropical butterfly that readily recolonizes much of temperate North America through annual migrations.
    [Show full text]
  • Salticidae (Arachnida, Araneae) of Thailand: New Species and Records of Epeus Peckham & Peckham, 1886 and Ptocasius Simon, 1
    Salticidae (Arachnida, Araneae) of Thailand: new species and records of Epeus Peckham & Peckham, 1886 and Ptocasius Simon, 1885 Barbara Maria Patoleta1, Joanna Gardzińska2 and Marek Żabka1 1 Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Siedlce, Poland 2 Warsaw College of Engineering and Health, Warsaw, Poland ABSTRACT The study is based on new material from the collections of the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre in Leiden (RNHM) and the Hungarian Natural History Museum (HNHM) and addresses issues in two genera: Epeus Peckham & Peckham, 1886 and Ptocasius Simon, 1885 from Thailand. Both genera are of Asian/Indomalayan origin, the latter with a diversity hotspot in the subtropical valleys of the Himalayas. Based on morphological data, we propose three new species of Epeus (Epeus daiqini sp. nov. (♂♀), Epeus pallidus sp. nov. (♀), Epeus szirakii sp. nov. (♀)) and two new species of Ptacasius (Ptocasius metzneri sp. nov. (♂♀) and Ptocasius sakaerat sp. nov. (♀)). Additionally, we redescribed E. tener (Simon, 1877) and added photographs of morphological characters. The genus Ptocasius is redefined due to the inclusion of 37 species, previously included in Yaginumaella Prószyński, 1979. Relationships and distribution of both genera are discussed in reference to molecular, morphological and distributional data, published by other authors in recent years. Subjects Biodiversity, Biogeography, Entomology, Taxonomy, Zoology Keywords Salticidae, Jumping spiders, Oriental region, Taxonomy, Distribution, Thailand, Epeus, Submitted 28 January 2020 Ptocasius Accepted 23 May 2020 Published 22 June 2020 INTRODUCTION Corresponding author Barbara Maria Patoleta, The list of jumping spiders from Thailand comprises 29 genera and 46 species (WSC, [email protected] 2020), seven genera and 13 species being poorly documented and in need of verification Academic editor (Żabka & Gardzińska, 2017).
    [Show full text]