Euchloe ausonides insulanus, the island marble butterfly, is a subspecies of the Euchloe ausonides (large marble butterfly) and is found in the San Juan Islands in Washington in the northwestern United States. The butterfly was thought to be extinct and was last observed on Gabriola Island, British Columbia in 1908. The species was rediscovered during a prairie butterfly survey in San Juan Island National Historical Park[1] in 1998. After this rediscovery, surveys were conducted throughout the presumed range and found a few populations on San Juan Island and Lopez Island, but no remaining populations in Canada.
| Island marble butterfly | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Pieridae |
| Genus: | Euchloe |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | E. a. insulanus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Euchloe ausonides insulanus Guppy & Shepard, 2001
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Description
editThe Island Marble is medium sized butterfly that is distinguishable by its white and green mottled pattern under its hind wings.
Habitat
editThe Island Marble butterfly is primarily coastal prairie dwelling species and an indicator for the health of the prairie ecosystem. This species has three known host plants which are located in different ecosystems. Brassica rapa grows primarily in the prairies, Sisymbrium altissium grows in sandy habitats, and Lepidium virginicum grows in coastal areas. Previously, the Island Marble Butterly inhabited various areas in the San Juan and Lopez islands. However, it is currently only found in the American Camp site at San Juan Island National Historical Park.[2]
Ecology
editThe Island Marble Butterfly spends on average 7 days in its butterfly stage. During this time the butterfly finds a mate, nectars, and lays eggs on a host plant. There are three known host plants for the Island Marble Butterfly: Brassica rapa, Sisymbrium altissimum, and Lepidium virginicum var. menziesii.[3] The lifespan of an Island Marble Butterfly ranges from six to nine days.[2]
Status
editOn May 5, 2020, the Island Marble butterfly was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.[4] The Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) listed the island marble butterfly as being extirpated in Canada in May 2000 and again in April 2010.[5] On August 22, 2012, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation submitted a petition for protection with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).[6][7] The island marble butterfly is currently noted on the Washington State Species of Concern List.[8]
The Island Marble Butterflies still have a chance as according to Naturalist Briony Penn, while these butterflies reside on islands, they still have a chance as islands may form as a type of shelter where the butterflies can repopulate (Penn, 2004). [9]
References
edit- ^ "San Juan Island National Historical Park – The Island Marble Butterfly (U.S. National Park Service)" National Park Service – Experience Your America | February 9, 2009. <http://www.nps.gov/sajh/naturescience/island-marble-butterfly.htm>
- ^ a b "Will this rare butterfly found only on San Juan Island go extinct?". The Seattle Times. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ Lambert, Amy Michelle (2011). Natural history and population ecology of a rare pierid butterfly, Euchloe ausonides insulanus Guppy and Shepard (Pieridae) (PDF) (Thesis). S2CID 80873828.
- ^ States, United (May 5, 2020). "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for the Island Marble Butterfly and Designation of Critical Habitat". United States Government. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "Species Profile: Island Marble" Government of Canada | Species at Risk Public Registry <http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=602>
- ^ "Fighting For Its Life (Again): The Island Marble Butterfly" Crag Law Center | June 25, 2013. <http://crag.org/2013/06/25/fighting-for-its-life-again-the-island-marble-butterfly/ Archived 2014-09-25 at the Wayback Machine>
- ^ "The Imperiled Island Marble Butterfly" The Island Guardian | August 23, 2012. <http://www.islandguardian.com/archives/00004512.html>
- ^ "Species of Concern in Washington State" Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Conservation <http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/endangered/All/ Archived 2013-10-09 at the Wayback Machine>
- ^ "The Prodigal Butterfly"<http://www.jstor.org/stable/45033061>
External links
edit- Saving the Island Marble Butterfly | Center for Biological Diversity
- Island Marble Butterfly | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Archived 2013-04-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ITIS Report for Euchloe ausonides | Interagency Taxonomic Information System
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