NEWSLETTER• of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Volume 38, Numbers 4 December, 1993 Impacts ofBt on Non-Target Lepidoptera John W. Peacock, David L. Wagner, and Dale F. Schweitzer USDA Forest Service, Hamden, CT; University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT; and The Nature Conservancy, Port Norris, NT, respectively Introduction gypsy moth in Oregon. Sample et a1. ing attempts bycertain birds. In another (1 993) have likewise reported a signifi­ study, Bellocq et al. (1992) showed that Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. cant reduction inspecies abundance and the use of Btk increased immigration kurstaki (Btk) is one of the pesticides richness in non-target Lepidoptera in rates andcaused d ietary shifts inshrews. most commonly employed against lepi­ field studies in eastern West Virginia. We report here a summary of our dopteran forest pests. In the eastern U.S., James et al. (1993) haveshown thatBtk is studies aimed at determining the effect where millionsofhectares of deciduous toxic to late, but not early, instar larvae of Btko n non-target Lepidoptera inboth forest have been defoliated by the ''Eu­ of the beneficial cinnabar moth, Tyria laboratoryand field studies. Laboratory ropean" gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar jacobaeae (L.). bioassays were conducted on larvae in (L.), Btk has been used extenSively to In addition to its direct effects on seven families of native eastern U.S. slow the spread of this pest and to re­ native Lepidoptera, Btk can indirectly Macrolepidoptera. Field studies were duce defoliation. In 1992 alone, over affect other animals that rely on lepi­ carried out in Rockbridge County, Vir­ 300,000 ha were treated with Btk, in­ dopterous larvae as a primary source of ginia, and were the first to evaluate non­ cluding gypsy moth suppression activi­ food. Rodenhouse and Holmes (1992) target effects on both Micro- and Mac­ ties amounting to over 105,000 ha in found that a reduction in biomass of rolepidoptera. lepidopterous larvae following Btk aJr Michigan, 58,000 ha in Pennsylvania, 1[;@()IJjJ'Q[jI!JI!J(g{Q) ON PAGE4­ and nearly 41,000 ha in Virginia (Anony­ plication led to significantly fewer nest­ mous, 1992). In addition to the suppres­ sion activities aimed at the European gypsymoth in 1992, over68,OOOha were sprayed with Btk in efforts to eradicate the "Asiatic" gypsy moth in Oregon, Washington/and the Vancouver area of British Columbia (Anonymous, 1992). Even as the use of Btk in fo restry appli­ cations is on the increase, ther2 is grow­ ing concern about the effects of this mi­ crobial pesticide on non-target organ­ isms. There has been limited research aimed at determining the effects of Btk on native species of Lepidoptera. Miller (1990) demonstrated that both richness and diversity of native Lepidoptera as­ sociated with G arry oak, Quercus garryartll Dougl., were reduced follow­ ing application of Btk to eradicate the my thesis project, I am part of this team effort. Specifically, I am studying the habitat needs of the Kamer blue in Michigan under the direction of Dr. Deborah McCullough in the De­ partment of Entomology at Michigan State University. My research program is being funded primarily through two divisions of the USDA Forest Service: the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry and the North Central Forest ExperimentStation. Inaddition, funding and assistance have been provided byThe Michigan Nature Conservancy through their Small Grants Program and by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory through their Natural Heritage Grants Program, which is fu nded by the "nongame wildlife check­ off" on Michigan's income tax form. Historically, the Kamer blue existed in a narrow belt extending from Minnesota to New Hampshireand north into Ontario, generally following the northern range of its larval hostplant. Since pioneer settlement, populations have de­ clined an estimated 99%, with 90% of the decline occurring in the last 10 to 15 years. Currently, the spedes is extirpated in The Endangered Karner Blue: three states (OH, PA, MA) and Ontario. Michigan and Wis­ consin appear to have the greatest number of extant popula­ Big Plight for a Little tions, and thus offer some of the best opportunities for re­ search and future Kamer blue management. Butterfly So what has caused the Kamerblue'splight? The butterfly' s rangewide decline has been attributed to severe habitat loss and degradation. The Kamer blue occupies a unique prairie­ Catherine M. Papp like habitat, known in the midwest as "oak savanna" and in Deparbnent of Entomology, Michigan State the East as "pine barrens". Typically, these are xeric, sandy University, East Lansing, MI areas characterized by low tree density and grassy openings where wild lupine grows amid native prairie grasses and other flowering plants. Periodic fires are required to keep the Ifyou are out walking near the woods this spring, you will grasses and trees from crowding out the lupine, and the likely catch glimpses of small blue wings fluttering across Kamer blue. Today, only a fraction of the historic savannas your path. Most of us will recognize the spring azure, one of and barrens remain as a result of development, agriculture, the season's first and mostcommonbutterflies. However, few silviculture, fire suppression and other modifications. are aware of the springtime appearance in Michigan and a few otherstates ofa not-so-common and, in fact, endangered blue butterfly, the Kamer blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). On 14 December 1992, the Karner The Kam erblue is a small yet brilliantly colored butterfly, with the wings of the male a silvery or purplish blue and the blue became the fourteenth insect in female a darker brown-blue with striking orange crescents along the hind wing margins. There are two generations per the United States to be added to the year. Adult butterflies utilize a variety of nectar sources, but larvae of both spring and summer generations feed exclu­ federal list of endangered species. sively on wild lupine (Lupinus perennis). On 14 December 1992, the Kamer blue became the four­ teenth insect in the UnitedStates to be added to the federal list With input from research on the biology andecology of the of endangered. species. Growing concerns regarding drastic Kamer blue, plans can be developed for management and population declines over the last decade have finally brought restorationof savanna and barren habitats. In particular, I am the butterfly to federal attention. What has this meant for the investigating the relationship between Kamer blue popula­ diminutive Kam er blue? An immediate response of state, tions and the density and distribution of lupine, adult nectar federal and private agencies to iniplement research into the sources, and percent canopy cover. This information will aid needs of the butterfly. The goal is to develop a recovery plan managers in creating and maintaining the type of habitat that to stop further decline and hopefully to increase current should sustain Kamer blue populations. In addition, I am population sizes. In Michigan, the Kamer blue is prOviding a unique oppor­ if:@fNJ1f'OfNJllJIfElf)) ON PAGE 12­ tunity for cooperation among several agencies, and through IIIIiii December, 1993 fM~W~D,,~IfIf~mJ of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V38(4) _ , ~~------------------------------------------------------------------------~ Butterfly House at Michigan State Uni­ not, however, print the label.) Available versity and T-shirts. The MSU Butterfly on 5.25" and 3.5" disks. Price $5.00 + Notices and Tropical Rainforestgreenhousesare $1.50 shipping & handling. Order from: (Notices will be run for a year or 4 n umbers of open to the public: 8-5 weekdays, 10-2 Joe McMahon; 89 Western Ave.; the Newsletter unless notified to drop them . weekends. The greenhouses are near the Chillicothe, Ohio 45601-2433. Members desiring longer runs should notify Collingwoodcampusentrance off Grand newsletter editor, Robert Haack, USDA For­ River Avenue on the north side of the Wanted: Literature - gifts of books, est Service, Nisbet Bldg., Rm. 220, 1407 S. campus, west of the Student Services papers, reprints, seconds, etc. for a small Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823.) and Natural Science Buildings. T-shirts but growing regional insect collection ($15) and sweatshirts [$25 (50% polyes­ (about 35,000 specimens) and library. A ter) or $30 (100% cotton)] are for sale to limited personal budget allows for re­ Meeting. Michigan Mosquito Control raisefundsto support the butterfly house: payment of shipping charges and some Association Annual Meeting, 3-4 Febru­ $15 each. The shirt features a Mormon purchases. Contact: Stuart M. FuHerton, ary 1994, Kalamazoo Ramada Inn, butterfly. Various sizes and colors are Curator; Biology Dept.; Univ. of Central Kalamazoo, MI. Contact: Charles available at the Butterfly House or by Florida; PO Box 25000; Orlando, FL Dinsmore, 2180 N. Meridian, Midland, mail. Contact: Butterfly House; Michi­ 32816. gan State University; Department of MI 48657-9501. Phone: 517-687-5044. Research Opportunities for qualified Entomology; 230 Natural Science Build­ investigatorsat the Huron Mountains in Meeting, 20th International Congress ing; East Lansing, MI 48824. of Entomology,25-31 August 1996, Flo­ the upper peninsula of Michigan. Sub­ rence, Italy. Contact: Organizing Secre­ New Book: "Discover Butterflies" by mit project proposal and resume (and tariat; O.I.e.; Via A. La Marmora, 24; Gary A. Dunn.9.5 x 12.5 inch, hardcover, budget iffinancial support is requested) 50121 Florence, Italy. Ifinterested please with over 100 full-color photographs. by March 1 of each year to: Dr. David write prior to 31 December 1993 to be Send check for $10.95 plus$1.50 (s&h) to Gosling, Director of Research; Huron put on future mailings about the Con­ Gary Dunn, 1915 Peggy Place, Lansing, Mountain Wildlife Foundation; 69063 gress, to show intent on attending, and MI 4891O. Wallowa Road; White Pigeon, MI 49099­ to give the possible content of your oral 9745. Phone: 616-651-6417; FAX: 616­ ForSale: Light traps, 12vOCor110vAC paper if you wish to present.