Mitchell Satyr Butterfly

Mitchell’s Satyr Butterfly Mitchell' Satyr Butterfly, Neonympha mitchellii, is a dedicated wetland specialist. The following background information is provided by Barton, B. 2004.

Neonympha mitchellii, Animal Diversity Web. Historically there were 30 or more isolated populations of N. mitchellii in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey, and possibly Maryland. Currently, there are 19 known populations remaining, 17 in Michigan and 2 in northern Indiana.

Habitat Most known habitats for Mitchell's satyrs are peatlands ranging on a continuum from prairie/bog fens to sedge meadow/swamps. They are sedge dominated, usually by Carex stricta, and have scattered deciduous and coniferous trees such as tamarack Larix laricina and red cedar Juniperus virginianus. The fens are comprised of a mosaic of community types.

Mitchell's satyrs restrict their activities to the interface zone between open sedge meadows and dense stands of shrubs or tamarack savannah areas.

Food Habits Mitchell's satyr larvae appear to feed on a variety of sedges and possibly one or more species of bulrushes Scirpus spp. Larvae have been reared to maturity on Carex alopecoidea and Scirpus atrivirens, but rejected Carex stricta, a species commonly thought of as the main foodplant (McAlpine 1960). Larvae accepted C. stricta and Carex prairea during foodplant studies by Szymanski and Shuey (2002). Legge and Rabe (1996) confirmed larval feeding on Carex lasiocarpa and saw evidence of feeding on C. stricta. Saint Francis' satyrs are believed to feed on sedges as well, particularly Carex expansus. Other potential foodplants include C. stricta, Carex vulpinoidea, and bulrush Scirpus atrivirens. Adult Mitchell's satyrs have been observed nectaring on mountain mint Pycanthemum virginianum, black-eyed susan Rudbeckia hirta, and swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata.

Conservation Status Both Mitchell's satyr and Saint Francis' satyr are listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mitchell's satyr is also listed as endangered in the state of Michigan. The decline of Mitchell's satyr across its range has been attributed to several factors related to habitat loss; • destruction due to development, • changes in hydrology, invasion by aggressive native Typhall spp. and non-native plant species, and • suppression of natural disturbance events important to maintain fen habitat such as fire and possibly beaver Castor canadensis activity.

And from the Xerces Society: Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii was listed temporarily as endangered on an emergency basis on June 25, 1991. The butterfly received long-term protection on May 20, 1992. Of the more than 30 known historical populations, only seventeen sites remain in Michigan and two in Indiana. Mitchell's satyr is considered extirpated in New Jersey and Ohio.

The greatest threat to the Mitchell's satyr is habitat destruction. Most of the wetland habitat that this butterfly depends on for survival has been drained and filled to make way for urban and agricultural development. Also, invasion of exotic weeds threaten the fens on which this butterfly depends. Contamination of fen wetlands by pesticides, fertilizer, and nutrient runoff from adjacent agriculture, including livestock production, poses a threat to the butterfly's habitat. It is believed that some populations of the Mitchell's satyr were eliminated by butterfly collectors.

Because the remaining populations of Mitchell's satyr are so small, the collection of even a few individuals could adversely impact this species.

Conservation Needs Prairie fens and their Mitchell's satyr populations are very sensitive to changes in groundwater and surface water flow. Alterations in hydrology resulting from disturbances such as roads, paths, residential development, and agricultural may have drastic results that affect nearby prairie fen communities and Mitchell's satyr. Conservation of prairie fens is essential to protect Mitchell's satyr from extinction. A Federal Recovery Plan for Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly has been completed.

Education

Education sheets available at zoological facilities (e.g. zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens with butterflies, butterfly houses, natural history museums) or events at which BFCI partners participate are a valuable way to disseminate information about imperiled butterflies.

When schools and other youth organizations study biodiversity and species extinctions they typically use examples of charismatic megafauna (e.g. bald eagles) or exotic creatures from the tropics. However, vulnerable species found within the state or ecoregion in which students live provide an excellent opportunity to develop curricular materials with a direct link to the students' home region. In addition to classroom studies, students may be able to visit sites to see the butterflies, as well as talk to the scientists and land managers involved in the species' conservation.

Captive Rearing One of the goals of the draft recovery plan is to establish and maintain a captive rearing program. The Toledo Zoo in Ohio has taken an interest in the development of a captive rearing plan for the Mitchell's satyr following a successful reintroduction effort for the Karner Blue Lycaeides melissa samuelis. A Mitchell's Satyr Working Group met in Michigan in spring 2003 to begin formalizing next steps for this species' recovery. This group included federal and state government agencies, representatives from AZA / BFCI member zoos in the species' range, and other interested parties.

And from the The Toledo Zoo's Butterfly Conservation Initiatives; You can visit our Butterfly Conservation Center on the Zoo grounds between June 5th and August 1st to see this conservation project in action for yourself! They are captive breeding endangered butterflies including the Mitchell's Satyr, Purplish Copper, and Swamp Metalmark.