PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #3: Invertebrate Ecology.
Monday, August 5. Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Exhibit Hall B & C, TCC

Habitat requirements of endangered butterflies in south-western British Columbia: Implications for restoration and conservation.

Miskelly, James^*,1, Eastman, Donald^*,1,2, ¹ Biology Dept., Vicotoria, BC, Canada² Restoration of Natural Systems Program, Victoria, BC, Canada

ABSTRACT- The Garry Oak ecosystem of south-western British Columbia has been identified as one of the most critically threatened habitats in Canada. Protected fragments continue to be degraded by trampling, exotic species, and fire suppression. Many species at risk occur in this ecosystem, including twelve butterflies. Two of the most endangered of these are Taylor's Checkerspot, Euphydryas editha taylori, and the Island Large Marble, Euchloe ausonides insulanus. The habitat requirements of these species have been poorly documented. Both of these butterflies have been extirpated from British Columbia, and have become severely restricted in adjacent Washington. In this study, plant communities at sites presently occupied by these butterflies were compared to those at historic population sites, with the objective of determining whether changes in the vegetational composition or structure have played a role in the loss of populations. Special attention was paid to possible food plants. Implications for habitat restoration and species conservation are discussed.

KEY WORDS: Euphydryas editha, Euchloe ausonides, habitats, restoration