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Life history and ecology of the endangered Poweshiek skipperling Oarisma poweshiek in Michigan prairie fens

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Abstract

Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek, Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) has experienced a range-wide decline resulting in six reported extant sites. Critical knowledge gaps related to Poweshiek skipperling adult behavior, phenology, habitat structure, and potential larval host plants are limiting the ability to manage this federally endangered species. To address these information needs, we conducted extensive surveys in the last remaining stronghold of four extant prairie fens in Michigan. We used point transect surveys to collect data on plant structure, and Poweshiek skipperling behavior and detection. We estimated Poweshiek skipperling abundance and modeled the influence of local vegetation on Poweshiek skipperling presence/absence. We estimated the abundance of adult Poweshiek skipperling in Michigan prairie fens to be 231 (95% CI 160–332), further highlighting the imperiled status of this species. Presence of Poweshiek skipperling along our transects was negatively associated with obstructive vegetation and positively associated with the availability of the nectar source Dasiphora fruticosa. Our observation data indicated females nectared most frequently on D. fruticosa, whereas males nectared most often on Rudbeckia hirta. Across the field season we observed 7 oviposition events on four plant species (Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Carex sterilis, and D. fruticosa), three of which had no previous documentation as a possible host plant. Results from this study can be used to evaluate management decisions and inform both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. It is critical to continue monitoring remaining populations, not only to assess conservation efforts, but also to discern the patterns and processes influencing species extinction.

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Acknowledgements

T Gehring provided valuable editorial suggestions and G Forthaus assisted with data curation. We thank our reviewers for comments that improved the manuscript. We thank B Cahill, R Hackett, C Pogue, L Hendrick, K Finch, M Schott, and M Parr for conducting field surveys. Additionally, we thank the landowners, including the Michigan Nature Association, Oakland County, Springfield Township, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and private landowners, for allowing us access to their properties for survey activities. Finally, we are grateful to the members of the Partnership for Poweshiek skipperling Conservation for their continued long-term dedication to this species. Research funding was provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Program, Central Michigan University—College of Science and Engineering’s Dean’s Research Assistantship, and Central Michigan University Biology Department—Marion Whitney Summer Graduate Scholarship. The findings and conclusions in this project are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Funding also came from the National Science Foundation award DBI-1730526 to develop educational materials for biodiversity data literacy (https://www.biodiversityliteracy.com/poweshiek-skipperling). This paper is contribution number 125 of the Central Michigan University Institute for Great Lakes Research.

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  1. Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Dickinson Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Michael W. Belitz

  2. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension, PO Box 13036, Lansing, MI, 48901-3036, USA

    Michael J. Monfils & David L. Cuthrell

  3. Institute for Great Lakes Research and Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, 1455 Calumet Court, Biosciences 2401, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA

    Michael W. Belitz & Anna K. Monfils

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This article does not contain any studies where animals were manipulated. All data were collected by observations and researchers did not handle animals. We had an incidental take permit through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, which outlined how we would minimize and mitigate authorized incidental take of Oarisma poweshiek.

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Belitz, M.W., Monfils, M.J., Cuthrell, D.L. et al. Life history and ecology of the endangered Poweshiek skipperling Oarisma poweshiek in Michigan prairie fens. J Insect Conserv 23, 635–649 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-019-00158-6

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