Rare Butterfly Survey of Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Team A – Kathryn Fryar Jones, Terri Kinsey Clark

1. Rare Butterfly Survey of Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Team A – Kathryn Fryar Jones, Terri Kinsey Clark Team B – Stacey Frakes, Steve Bass Florida Natural Area Inventory and Florida State University Scientists: Daniel Hipes, Sally and Dean Jue Abstract The Hoary Edge Skipper, Golden Banded-Skipper, Zabulon Skipper, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper, and the Little Glassywing Skipper have been observed in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Leon County, Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory was seeking reference data to use in making decisions for management of this land for conserving biodiversity. Golden-Banded Skipper Conclusion Team A identified a total of 628 butterflies comprised of 39 different species. Team B identified a total of 1008 comprised of 42 different species. The data collected during the months of June and July showed a noticeable difference in rare butterfly populations. The number of Hoary Edge Skippers dropped from June to July and the Laced-wing Roadside Skipper was only seen on two days in June. The Little Glassywing was not seen at all in July yet the Zabulon Skipper population seemed not to change. We concluded that the reduction in the number of Hoary Edge Skippers was directly correlated to the change in the amount of flowering verbena. As the Lace-winged Roadside Skipper had not been seen since the controlled burn of Phipps more than a year ago, it is thought that the vegetation to support this population has not fully recovered. Sunflowers, a popular nectar source for the Zabulon Skippers, continued to be abundant on both teams’ trails so it was concluded that this accounted for the stability of this species. Golden-Banded Skippers were not expected to be seen in June as the larvae are known to hatch in July. The earliest sighting recorded of a Golden-Banded Skipper in later June might be due to the increased observations of its habitat during this time. Map explained The map below shows all of the rare butterflies identified and logged by team A and Team B. Team A results are indicated by the red dots and team B results with orange dots. The green and blue cross marks indicate our stations where we were instructed to spend at least 10 minutes each time we walked our trails. The occurrences of each of the rare butterflies verify the various habitats we would expect to find in the area in which the butterflies were found. The Hoary Edge Skippers were almost always found in open, sunny areas, whereas all the other species seemed to prefer shaded moist areas. Hoary Edge Skipper In the Classroom Kathryn: Throughout my summer research I have been a student immersed in inquiry based learning. Our field scientist, Sally Jue, instinctively used inquiry as her method of directing us in our field research. I found that this empowered me to trust my observations in the field, interpret my data, and then ask questions about my learning. As a teacher of Gifted children, I plan to have learning centers set up for the children that will present various science inquiry activities for them to explore. I also will use inquiry based instruction to help the students learn to think critically and explore through inquiry their annual Science Fair projects. Terri: I want my 3rd grade students to enjoy the inquiry method as I have during this summer project. I will allow my students to do science rather than just read about it in a textbook. I will have students involved in hands on science activities that follow the scientific method using inquiry based learning. Stacey: As an elementary education teacher I think there is much from this experience that I can take back to the classroom. There are several human actions that affect butterfly populations such as changing of crops, building of an area, and one plant overtaking another such as we see with invasive species (which FNAI also monitors). These are issues that I talk about with my elementary students as we discuss our human footprints and how decisions we make effect our world. This experience brings an entire new take on our human footprints and is something that I can share with my students. Also, experiencing the process of learning through inquiry has been rewarding and will allow me to instruct my students using an inquiry based, hands on approach through inquiry based centers. This experience as a student of scientific inquiry has given me confidence to let go and just allow learning to occur. Steve: I will use this experience to help teach my students to understand the importance of habitats, and why monitoring our plants and animals can make a difference in the decisions we make on how to take care of our world. We will explore why controlled burning is good in some ways, such as taking care of the forest. The students will also learn why it is bad, in that it could completely wipe out whole species of butterflies from our area by killing the caterpillars, eggs, pupae or the food they need to survive. Students will learn how to make informed decisions about our environment by monitoring habitats and ecosystems, and tracking butterflies on our school campus. Background Information More than 160 butterfly species are commonly seen in Florida, with an excess of 75 of these observed in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee since July 2001. Several of these identified at Phipps Park are rare butterfly species. Florida Natural Areas Inventory asked for reference data as to the occurrence of the following rare species during the summer of 2008: The Hoary Edge Skipper, Golden Banded-Skipper, Zabulon Skipper, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper, and the Little Glassywing Skipper. The Hoary Edge skipper is common in the north but is rarely seen in Florida. The Golden-BandedSkipper is very rare in the Eastern United States. The Lace-winged roadside skipper had not been seen in over a year since the last controlled burn at Phipps Park. The Zabulon skipper and Little Glassywing skipper had also been identified in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. Glassywing Skipper Zabulon Skipper Lace-winged Roadside Skipper Reflection of Prior Knowledge Kathryn: I had not considered that butterflies have varied geographical locations and habitats prior to our research with FNAI. I assumed that butterflies were all colorful insects that floated lazily through the air. Now I find myself eager to share my new knowledge of the small, quick moving creatures we tracked this summer. Terri: I had little prior knowledge about butterflies. I knew of their existence but had not really considered them except to enjoy their beauty. After being immersed in this learning experience I can identify over forty species and describe their habitat. Stacey: As I started this project my knowledge of butterflies was limited to pictures of monarchs my own 4th grade teacher shared. I had no knowledge of the wide range of butterfly species we have in Florida and I wasn’t aware that there was a concern for endangered species of butterflies. My knowledge of butterflies, their habitat, and the behaviors of certain species has increased tremendously. I am now able to identify species of butterflies that only a few months ago I wasn’t even aware of. This has greatly changed my view of the world and made me more aware of my own natural habitat. Steve: While in college, I took an entomology class in which we collected many different families and species of insects. Taking this summer course has refreshed some of the knowledge of where to find the different types of insects. I have never done anything quite as fulfilling as tracking rare butterflies and taking pictures, instead of killing and typing them. I have learned to look for the conditions of the habitat and ecosystem in which the butterflies live in order to locate and identify them properly. I have learned to identify many different species of butterflies by the way they fly, the way they land, wing shape, body shape, and many other attributes. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how to track the rare butterflies at the Park. Methodology and Equipment Used For our research on rare butterflies in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee, Florida, we were asked to report to the park twice each day to identify different species of butterflies, concentrating on five rare species. Our two teams surveyed two separate 0.5 mile routes with five stations with differing habitat. Using a field guide, binoculars, global positioning system (GPS) data logger, and thermometer we spotted, identified and recorded the butterflies sighted. The common butterfly species seen were recorded on paper. The rare butterflies were recorded using the GPS data logger, noting the temperature, weather conditions and behavior. The results for all sightings were compiled in an excel file. In addition, the rare butterfly data was transferred from the GPS data logger to an Arc GIS shape file which then was used to create an ArcMap project. This ArcMap project with aerial photos and park boundaries showed all occurrences of our rare butterflies. References Cech, R. a. (2005). Butterflies of the East Coast. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Glassberg, J., Minno, M. C., & Clahoun, J. V. (2000). Butterflies Through Binoculars: A Field, Finding, and Gardening Guide to Butterflies in Florida. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. Harder, D. J. (2007, Fall/Winter). Definitive Destination: Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, Leo County, Florida. American Butterflies , pp. 4-15. Jue, D. (n.d.). Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Butterflies & Bluebirds. Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Butterflies & Bluebirds . Tallahassee, Florida, USA: City of Tallahassee. Jue, S. (2008, June 10). Conservation Lands Biologist. (S. F. Bass, Interviewer) Swengel, A. (2004, Spring). Straight Talk About Butterfly Habitat Management. American Butterflies , pp. 16-22.