Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2021 Investigating monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) movement ecology to inform conservation strategies Kelsey Elizabeth Fisher Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Recommended Citation Fisher, Kelsey Elizabeth, "Investigating monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) movement ecology to inform conservation strategies" (2021). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 18493. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/18493 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Investigating monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) movement ecology to inform conservation strategies by Kelsey Elizabeth Fisher A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: Entomology Program of Study Committee: Steven P. Bradbury, Major Professor James Adelman Brad Coates Richard Hellmich Amy Toth The student author, whose presentation of the scholarship herein was approved by the program of study committee, is solely responsible for the content of this dissertation. The Graduate College will ensure this dissertation is globally accessible and will not permit alterations after a degree is conferred. Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2021 Copyright © Kelsey Elizabeth Fisher, 2021. All rights reserved. ii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to those near and far who supported me during my graduate work: my husband, my family, my friends, and associated pets. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..................................................................................................... xiii ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................... xv CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION........................................................................... 1 Outline and Objectives of the Dissertation Chapters............................................................. 5 Chapter 2: Estimates of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) utilization by monarch larvae (Danaus plexippus) and the significance of larval movement .................. 5 Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6: Analyzing monarch movement ecology at a landscape-scale with aid from handheld and automated VHF radio telemetry systems .............................. 6 Chapter 7: Prediction of mitochondrial genome-wide variation through sequencing of mitochondrion-enriched extracts .................................................................................. 11 Chapter 8: General Conclusion..................................................................................... 14 Contributions of this Dissertation ...................................................................................... 14 References ....................................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 2. ESTIMATES OF COMMON MILKWEED (Asclepias syriaca) UTILIZATION BY MONARCH LARVAE (Danaus plexippus) AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LARVAL MOVEMENT.................................................................................................. 20 Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 20 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 21 Methods ........................................................................................................................... 24 Plants .......................................................................................................................... 24 Insects......................................................................................................................... 25 Experimental Design ................................................................................................... 25 Statistical Analysis ...................................................................................................... 27 Results ............................................................................................................................. 29 Survival and Developmental Endpoints ........................................................................ 29 Natal Ramet Abandonment .......................................................................................... 29 Larval Movement Behavior ......................................................................................... 30 Plant Utilization .......................................................................................................... 30 Discussion........................................................................................................................ 32 Data Accessibility............................................................................................................. 39 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 39 References ....................................................................................................................... 39 Figures and Tables............................................................................................................ 44 Appendix. Impact of Intraspecific Competition on Larval Monarch (Danaus plexippus) Movement Behavior and Fitness ....................................................................................... 48 Introduction................................................................................................................. 48 iv Methods ...................................................................................................................... 48 Preliminary Results and Discussion.............................................................................. 50 CHAPTER 3. EMPLOYING VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF) RADIO TELEMETRY TO RECREATE MONARCH BUTTERFLY (Danaus plexippus) FLIGHT PATHS................ 52 Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 52 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 53 Methods ........................................................................................................................... 56 Field Sites ................................................................................................................... 56 Insects......................................................................................................................... 57 Transmitter Attachment ............................................................................................... 57 Effects of Transmitter Attachment................................................................................ 57 Tracking Female Monarch Butterflies with VHF Radio Telemetry ................................ 58 Space-Use Analysis ..................................................................................................... 59 Results ............................................................................................................................. 61 Effects of Transmitter Attachment................................................................................ 61 Space-Use Analysis ..................................................................................................... 61 Discussion........................................................................................................................ 63 Data Accessibility............................................................................................................. 69 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 69 References ....................................................................................................................... 69 Figures and Tables............................................................................................................ 74 Appendix. Supplemental Information ................................................................................ 78 CHAPTER 4. LOCATING LARGE INSECTS USING AUTOMATED VHF RADIO TELEMETRY WITH A MULTI-ANTENNAE ARRAY ........................................................ 79 Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 79 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 80 Materials and Methods...................................................................................................... 85 Overview