Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
The regal fritillary is declining across much of its range. While previously found from the Great Plain states to the Atlantic coast, it is nearly extirpated from east of the Mississippi River. Western Missouri may possess the healthiest populations left. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is gathering information about the species to review the species for potential inclusion on the Endangered Species Act.
We are conducting a marking study of the regal fritillary to learn more about local population sizes, movement and dispersal patterns, and other ecological characteristics. This project is being funded by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Research Tasks 1. Estimate population sizes. 2. Compare population size estimates from marking studies to estimates obtained through distance sampling by Missouri Department of Conservation. 3. Assess movement patterns among several prairies. |