NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE ENDANGERED MITCHELL’S SATYR BUTTERFLY: SYNTHESIS AND EXPANSION OF OUR KNOWLEDGE REGARDING NEONYMPHA MITCHELLIIMITCHELLII FRENCH 1889

摘要

The Mitchells satyr butterfly, Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii French 1889 is a federally-listed endangered species found in parts of the eastern United States of America. Because of its endangered status, considerable research efforts have been devoted to understanding its biology, ecology, and its conservation. Despite these efforts, information about N. m. mitchellii has not been summarized for more than a decade. Here we summarize and expand upon the work conducted by governmental and not-for-profit agencies that have produced reports that are not easily accessible to researchers or interested lepidopterists. In addition to summarizing the literature, we present data from feeding trials and also demonstrate that microclimates exist that may be exploited by larvae. We conclude by identifying key areas of needed research and describe steps imperative to the recovery the Mitchells satyr.