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The Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Euphydryas Phaeton

The Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Euphydryas Phaeton. Suraya Bunting Ariel Goldberg Sydney Hergan. Background Information. The Checkerspot became the Maryland State insect in the year 1973. The White Turtlehead is the host plant to the Checkerspot.

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The Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Euphydryas Phaeton

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  1. The Baltimore Checkerspot ButterflyEuphydryas Phaeton Suraya Bunting Ariel Goldberg Sydney Hergan

  2. Background Information • The Checkerspot became the Maryland State insect in the year 1973. • The White Turtlehead is the host plant to the Checkerspot. • When the Checkerspot caterpillar eats White Turtlehead, the plant grows back bigger and stronger. • When the deer eat the White Turtlehead, they kill it, causing the Checkerspots to die off. • Checkerspots do not like Pink Turtlehead, a non-native species. • The White Turtlehead is the only plant the larvae consume in their first instar.

  3. Life Cycle Instar- An insect in any one of its periods of postembryonic growth between molts Photos from botany.thisima.com jhonfowler.photoshelter.com bugfolks.com

  4. Event: Problem: • The draining and filling of the Checkerspot’s and White Turtlehead’s natural habitat, wetlands. • The loss of the White Turtlehead causing the loss of the Checkerspot species.

  5. The Issue How has the stewardship of Harford Glen impacted its environment?

  6. Research Question To what extent are the five deer exclosures at Harford Glen populated by the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly?

  7. Materials • Vernier- Soil moisture probe • Measuring tape • Yellow journal and pencil • Trowel • GPS • Camera

  8. procedure • Counted number of exclosures • Marked waypoints • Counted webs and caterpillars • Counted White Turtleheads • Measured area • Looked to see if it had roof • Looked to see if it had a canopy • Figured out material of en/exclosure • Measured soil moisture

  9. Photos Of Exclosures A B C D E

  10. Map of Exclosures A B C D You Are Here E

  11. Comparison of White turtlehead, Soil moisture, and number of webs Percent Deer En/Exclosures

  12. Comparing Data Distance from Enclosure Number of webs Kilometers Number of webs Deer En/Exclosures Deer En/Exclosures

  13. Conclusions • Exclosure C is the most populated by Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies. • There are no butterflies in exclosures D and E. • Exclosure E is overgrown by Japanese • Hop ,an invasive plant species. It is also the furthest from the original enclosure. • Wasps have invaded enclosure D.

  14. Inferences • Wasps are killing the Checkerspot caterpillars in enclosure D to feed their larvae. • Butterflies did not find the White Turtlehead in exclosure E because it is covered by invasive species and is too far away from the original enclosure. • Exclosure E is the best place for White Turtlehead to grow because it has high soil moisture and has some sunlight.

  15. Recommendations • Use organic insecticidal soap on wasp’s nests in enclosure D • Plant more White Turtlehead in new and existing exclosures • Maintain and repair en/exclosures • Organize new Checkerspot projects to build new exclosures and to continue research • Introduce the Checkerspot larvae to exclosure E

  16. Action Plan • Spray organic insecticidal soap on wasp nest • Weed out en/exclosures • Make flyers informing people about the Checkerspot butterfly

  17. Acknowledgements • Ms. Airing • Ms. Ruth • bugfolks.com • jhonfowler.photoshelter.com • botany.thisima.com • Dictionary.com

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