Preserving the Endangered Butterfly Species of New Jersey Domenic DeSocio Ed Devine Ethan Winter

Itinerary Objectives and rationale Butterflies Plants Materials and Procedure Analysis and Evaluation

Project Objective Build butterfly garden. Provide habitat for endangered and threatened species of butterflies. Conserve biodiversity. Beautify the school grounds.

Gauging Efficacy Weekly counts taken of species. Diversity and abundance over weeks. Analysis of counts explain success.

Why Butterflies? Butterflies renowned for beauty. Food source. Active pollinators.

Biodiversity Butterflies important food source for other insects and birds. Hummingbirds also utilize the same food source (nectar) as butterflies.

Butterflies in New Jersey 3 threatened species. 3 endangered species. Over 140 species native to New Jersey.

Arogos Skipper - Endangered Experiencing rapid declines (“Arogos Skipper, 2010). Lives in dry grass lands. Feeds on the Little Bluestem and other varying food sources. –Varieties native to New Jersey.

Mountain Grizzled Skipper - Endangered Declining due to insecticides (“Appalachian Grizzled Skipper,” 2010). Fields and forests. Feeds on dwarf cinquefoil and other varying food sources. –Native to New Jersey.

Mitchell’s Satyr - Endangered Decline due to habitat loss (“Mitchell’s Satyr,” 2010). Wet meadows and fens. Food sources vary.

Frosted Elfin - Threatened Occurs in varying isolated locations (“Frosted Elfin,” 2010). Lives in open areas. Feeds on local foliage.

Checkered White - Threatened Open areas and along tree line (“Checkered White,” 2010). Decline due to habitat loss. Varying food sources.

Silver-Bordered Fritillary - Threatened Lives in sedge meadows and grasslands. New Jersey is on southeast border of territory. Varying food sources.

Which Plants to Use? Plants local to New Jersey. Plants that attract both threatened and endangered species and other native species. Plants that contribute to the aesthetic appeal of school ground.

Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem (“Little bluestem,” 2002) –Medium sized grass –Grows in spring Native to state –Dry soil –Neutral soil

Potentilla canadensis Dwarf cinquefoil (“Dwarf Cinquefoil,” 2010) –Small flowering plant –Grows in spring and summer Native to New Jersey

Bulbostylis capillaris Threadleaf beakseed –Type of sedge plant –Small herb –Thready, thin leaves Native to New Jersey

Buddleja davidii Butterfly bush –Large flowering blush –Bright purple flowers –Great source of butterfly food Introduced to New Jersey –Tolerant of spring temperatures

Achillea ptarmica Sneezeweed –Small, white flowers –Dry soil –High sun tolerance Native to New Jersey –Flowers exhibit Fibonacci sequence

Materials Previously mentioned plant species. Other local nectar plants. Planting soil. Work gloves Shovels. Trowels. Watering cans / hose. Wheelbarrow. Pruning shears.

Procedure Buy plants, seeds, and soil –Butterfly garden sets Gather materials Dig out area –Behind school

Procedure (cont.) Add top soil Plant seeds and plants Monitory plant growth

Data Collection Observe butterfly garden –30 minutes uninterrupted –Count number of butterflies –Repeat once a week for the remainder of the school year

Data Analysis Mean number of butterflies will be found Differences between weeks will be presented Graphical representations will be made Line charts and bar graphs

Conclusion Protect biodiversity –Valuable part of ecosystem Create butterfly garden –Create habitat and food source Many species of butterfly

References Appalachian Grizzled Skipper. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from Arogos Skipper. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from Butterfly and Moth Information. (1997). Center for Insect Science Education Outreach. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from University of Arizona website: Checkered White. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from Dwarf Cinquefoil. (2010). Connecticut. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from society.org/galleries/potentillacana.html Frosted Elfin. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from Little Bluestem. (2002, February 5). United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from Mitchell’s Satyr. (2010). The State of New Jersey. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from New Jersey's Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. (2004, March 11). New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from