Status of the Regal Fritillary ('Speyeria idalia') in Iowa, 1995. PrairiesSurveyed and Land Use Histories

摘要

A total of 52 prairies were surveyd during the summer of 1996 to assess thepopulation status of the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) in Southeastern Iowa. The major goal of this research was to obtain population data for the Regal Fritillary and its host plant, Viola pedatifida. The butterfly was surveyed using standard mark-recapture techniques. Each prairie was surveyed for a minimum of 1 hour, but larger prairies were surveyed for longer periods of time relative to their total area. The authors surveyed plots of V. pedatifida where it was found, in order to obtain a better estimate of the total Regal fritillary habitat available. V. pedatigida searches lasted for a minimum of 30 minutes, unless the habitat was obviously poor quality (e.g., solid switchgrass, brome, etc.). Three 10x10m. plots were set up and surveyed in a checkerboard fashion (ie., every other plot was surveyed) for the number of violet plants.