Save Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly from Extinction, NOW!

Overview

This rare butterfly occurs in the sandhills of Cumberland County, North Carolina. Until its recent rediscovery, the species was believed to have been collected to extinction. One fragmented population is now known to survive.

Description

Saint Francis’ satyr is a small, dark brown butterfly. The wingspan for the species ranges from 34 to 44 millimeters. Saint Francis’ satyr has conspicuous “eye spots” on the lower surfaces of the wings. These eye spots have a dark maroon-brown center, and within the eye spots are lighter opalescent patches that reflect a silver cast. The border of these dark eye spots is straw-yellow in color, with an outermost border of dark brown. The eye spots are usually round to slightly oval and are well-developed on the fore wing as well as on the hind wing. The spots are accented by two bright orange bands along the posterior wing edges and two somewhat darker orange-brown bands across the central portion of each wing.

Life History

The annual life cycle of Neonympha mitchellii francisci, unlike that of its northern relative the Mitchell’s satyr, is bivoltine having two adult flights – or generations – per year. Larval host plants are believed to be graminoids such as grasses, sedges, and rushes. Little else is known about the life history of this butterfly. The habitat occupied by this satyr consists primarily of wide, wet meadows dominated by sedges and other wetland graminoids. In the North Carolina sandhills, such meadows are often relicts of beaver activity. Saint Francis’ satyr has also been observed in pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava) swales, with cane (Arundinaria tecta), and with the rare plants rough-leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulaefolia) and pocosin lily (Lilium iridollai). It is, however, unknown whether the satyr uses such habitat for reproduction or simply as a dispersal corridor.

Distribution

Because of its relatively recent discovery, it is impossible to determine what the original range of Saint Francis’ satyr might have been. However, based upon its demonstrated dependence on periodic fires and the general trend of fire suppression on private lands, it seems reasonable to assume that it once occupied a more extensive area. Currently, only a single metapopulation of Saint Francis’ satyr is known to exist in the sandhills of North Carolina, in Cumberland and Hoke Counties.

Conservation Status

Only a single metapopulation of Saint Francis’ satyr is known to exist in the sandhills of North Carolina, in Cumberland and Hoke Counties.

Conservation Needs

The draft recovery plan states: “Immediate protection and management of the habitats that support the species, initiation of a captive propagation program, and development of the monitoring scheme and research agenda will be necessary to prevent extinction.”

Working with landowners

The Saint Francis’ satyr may be restricted to artillery impact areas at Fort Bragg, military installation in North Carolina. North Carolina State University (NCSU) professor Nick Haddad is conducting surveys to determine whether other populations exist in surrounding areas, including game land and potential Nature Conservancy landholdings.

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.

Source: BFCI