Preserving the Endangered Butterfly Species of New Jersey
Domenic DeSocio
Ed Devine
Ethan Winter
Itinerary
• Objectives and rationale
• Butterflies
• Plants
• Materials and Procedure
• Analysis and Evaluation
Project Objective
• Build butterfly garden.
• Provide habitat for endangered and threatened species of butterflies.
• Conserve biodiversity.
• Beautify the school grounds.
Gauging Efficacy
• Weekly counts taken of species.
• Diversity and abundance over weeks.
• Analysis of counts explain success.
Why Butterflies?
• Butterflies renowned for beauty.
• Food source.
• Active pollinators.
Biodiversity
• Butterflies important food source for other insects and birds.
• Hummingbirds also utilize the same food source (nectar) as butterflies.
Butterflies in New Jersey
• 3 threatened species.
• 3 endangered species.
• Over 140 species native to New Jersey.
Arogos Skipper - Endangered
• Experiencing rapid declines (“Arogos Skipper, 2010).
• Lives in dry grass lands.
• Feeds on the Little Bluestem and other varying food sources.– Varieties native to New Jersey.
Mountain Grizzled Skipper - Endangered
• Declining due to insecticides (“Appalachian Grizzled Skipper,” 2010).
• Fields and forests.
• Feeds on dwarf cinquefoil and other varying food sources.– Native to New Jersey.
Mitchell’s Satyr - Endangered
• Decline due to habitat loss (“Mitchell’s Satyr,” 2010).
• Wet meadows and fens.
• Food sources vary.
Frosted Elfin - Threatened
• Occurs in varying isolated locations (“Frosted Elfin,” 2010).
• Lives in open areas.
• Feeds on local foliage.
Checkered White - Threatened
• Open areas and along tree line (“Checkered White,” 2010).
• Decline due to habitat loss.
• Varying food sources.
Silver-Bordered Fritillary - Threatened
• Lives in sedge meadows and grasslands.
• New Jersey is on southeast border of territory.
• Varying food sources.
Which Plants to Use?
• Plants local to New Jersey.
• Plants that attract both threatened and endangered species and other native species.
• Plants that contribute to the aesthetic appeal of school ground.
Schizachyrium scoparium
• Little bluestem (“Little bluestem,” 2002)– Medium sized grass– Grows in spring
• Native to state– Dry soil – Neutral soil
Potentilla canadensis
• Dwarf cinquefoil (“Dwarf Cinquefoil,” 2010)– Small flowering plant– Grows in spring and summer
• Native to New Jersey
Bulbostylis capillaris
• Threadleaf beakseed– Type of sedge plant– Small herb– Thready, thin leaves
• Native to New Jersey
Buddleja davidii
• Butterfly bush– Large flowering blush– Bright purple flowers– Great source of butterfly food
• Introduced to New Jersey– Tolerant of spring temperatures
Achillea ptarmica
• Sneezeweed– Small, white flowers– Dry soil– High sun tolerance
• Native to New Jersey– Flowers exhibit Fibonacci sequence
Materials
• Previously mentioned plant species.
• Other local nectar plants.
• Planting soil.• Work gloves
• Shovels.• Trowels.• Watering cans /
hose.• Wheelbarrow.• Pruning shears.
Procedure
• Buy plants, seeds, and soil– Butterfly garden sets
• Gather materials
• Dig out area– Behind school
Procedure (cont.)
• Add top soil
• Plant seeds and plants
• Monitory plant growth
Data Collection
• Observe butterfly garden
– 30 minutes uninterrupted
– Count number of butterflies
– Repeat once a week for the remainder of the school year
Data Analysis
• Mean number of butterflies will be found
• Differences between weeks will be presented
• Graphical representations will be made• Line charts and bar graphs
Conclusion
• Protect biodiversity– Valuable part of ecosystem
• Create butterfly garden– Create habitat and food source
• Many species of butterfly
ReferencesAppalachian Grizzled Skipper. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/apgrzldskip.pdf
Arogos Skipper. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/arogosskipper.pdf
Butterfly and Moth Information. (1997). Center for Insect Science Education Outreach. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from University of Arizona website: http://insected.arizona.edu/bflyinfo.htm
Checkered White. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/chkrdwhite.pdf
Dwarf Cinquefoil. (2010). Connecticut. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from
http://www.ct-botanical society.org/galleries/potentillacana.html
Frosted Elfin. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/frstdelfin.pdf
Little Bluestem. (2002, February 5). United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_scsc.pdf
Mitchell’s Satyr. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/mitchell.pdf
New Jersey's Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. (2004, March 11). New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/tandespp.htm