Transcript Rare Butterfly Survey of Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park

Rare Butterfly Survey of Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park
Team A – Kathryn Fryar Jones, Terri Kinsey Clark
Team B – Stacey Frakes, Steve Bass
Florida Natural Area Inventory and Florida State University
Scientists: Daniel Hipes, Sally and Dean Jue
Abstract
The Hoary Edge Skipper, Golden Banded-Skipper,
Zabulon Skipper, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper,
and the Little Glassywing Skipper have been
observed in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Leon
County, Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory was
seeking reference data to use in making decisions
for management of this land for conserving
biodiversity.
Conclusion
Map explained
The map below shows all of the rare butterflies identified and logged by team A and Team B. Team A results are indicated by
the red dots and team B results with orange dots. The green and blue cross marks indicate our stations where we were
instructed to spend at least 10 minutes each time we walked our trails. The occurrences of each of the rare butterflies verify the
various habitats we would expect to find in the area in which the butterflies were found. The Hoary Edge Skippers were almost
always found in open, sunny areas, whereas all the other species seemed to prefer shaded moist areas.
Hoary Edge Skipper
Rare Butterfly
Golden-banded
Skipper
Hoary Edge Skipper
Team A Findings
10
Team B Findings
6
94
95
Little Glassywing
Skipper
Zabulon Skipper
8
5
8
13
Lace-winged
roadside Skipper
3
0
Golden-Banded Skipper
Team A identified a total of 628 butterflies comprised of 39 different
species. Team B identified a total of 1008 comprised of 42
different species. The data collected during the months of June
and July showed a noticeable difference in rare butterfly
populations. The number of Hoary Edge Skippers dropped from
June to July and the Laced-wing Roadside Skipper was only seen
on two days in June. The Little Glassywing was not seen at all in
July yet the Zabulon Skipper population seemed not to change.
We concluded that the reduction in the number of Hoary Edge
Skippers was directly correlated to the change in the amount of
flowering verbena. As the Lace-winged Roadside Skipper had not
been seen since the controlled burn of Phipps more than a year
ago, it is thought that the vegetation to support this population has
not fully recovered. Sunflowers, a popular nectar source for the
Zabulon Skippers, continued to be abundant on both teams’ trails
so it was concluded that this accounted for the stability of this
species. Golden-Banded Skippers were not expected to be seen in
June as the larvae are known to hatch in July. The earliest sighting
recorded of a Golden-Banded Skipper in later June might be due to
the increased observations of its habitat during this time.
In the Classroom
Kathryn: Throughout my summer research I have been a student immersed in
inquiry based learning. Our field scientist, Sally Jue, instinctively used inquiry
as her method of directing us in our field research. I found that this empowered
me to trust my observations in the field, interpret my data, and then ask
questions about my learning. As a teacher of Gifted children, I plan to have
learning centers set up for the children that will present various science inquiry
activities for them to explore. I also will use inquiry based instruction to help
the students learn to think critically and explore through inquiry their annual
Science Fair projects.
Background Information
More than 160 butterfly species are commonly seen in
Florida, with an excess of 75 of these observed in Elinor
Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee since July 2001. Several
of these identified at Phipps Park are rare butterfly species.
Florida Natural Areas Inventory asked for reference data as
to the occurrence of the following rare species during the
summer of 2008: The Hoary Edge Skipper, Golden BandedSkipper, Zabulon Skipper, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper,
and the Little Glassywing Skipper. The Hoary Edge skipper
is common in the north but is rarely seen in Florida. The
Golden-BandedSkipper is very rare in the Eastern United
States. The Lace-winged roadside skipper had not been
seen in over a year since the last controlled burn at Phipps
Park. The Zabulon skipper and Little Glassywing skipper
had also been identified in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park.
Terri: I want my 3rd grade students to enjoy the inquiry method as I have during
this summer project. I will allow my students to do science rather than just read
about it in a textbook. I will have students involved in hands on science
activities that follow the scientific method using inquiry based learning.
Stacey: As an elementary education teacher I think there is much from this
experience that I can take back to the classroom. There are several human
actions that affect butterfly populations such as changing of crops, building of
an area, and one plant overtaking another such as we see with invasive
species (which FNAI also monitors). These are issues that I talk about with my
elementary students as we discuss our human footprints and how decisions we
make effect our world. This experience brings an entire new take on our
human footprints and is something that I can share with my students. Also,
experiencing the process of learning through inquiry has been rewarding and
will allow me to instruct my students using an inquiry based, hands on
approach through inquiry based centers. This experience as a student of
scientific inquiry has given me confidence to let go and just allow learning to
occur.
Glassywing Skipper
Zabulon Skipper
Lace-winged Roadside Skipper
Steve: I will use this experience to help teach my students to understand the
importance of habitats, and why monitoring our plants and animals can make a
difference in the decisions we make on how to take care of our world. We will
explore why controlled burning is good in some ways, such as taking care of
the forest. The students will also learn why it is bad, in that it could completely
wipe out whole species of butterflies from our area by killing the caterpillars,
eggs, pupae or the food they need to survive. Students will learn how to make
informed decisions about our environment by monitoring habitats and
ecosystems, and tracking butterflies on our school campus.
Reflection of Prior Knowledge
Methodology and Equipment Used
For our research on rare butterflies in Elinor Klapp-Phipps
Park in Tallahassee, Florida, we were asked to report to the
park twice each day to identify different species of butterflies,
concentrating on five rare species. Our two teams surveyed
two separate 0.5 mile routes with five stations with differing
habitat. Using a field guide, binoculars, global positioning
system (GPS) data logger, and thermometer we spotted,
identified and recorded the butterflies sighted. The common
butterfly species seen were recorded on paper. The rare
butterflies were recorded using the GPS data logger, noting
the temperature, weather conditions and behavior. The
results for all sightings were compiled in an excel file. In
addition, the rare butterfly data was transferred from the GPS
data logger to an Arc GIS shape file which then was used to
create an ArcMap project. This ArcMap project with aerial
photos and park boundaries showed all occurrences of our
rare butterflies.
Kathryn: I had not considered that butterflies have varied geographical locations and habitats prior to our research with FNAI. I
assumed that butterflies were all colorful insects that floated lazily through the air. Now I find myself eager to share my new
knowledge of the small, quick moving creatures we tracked this summer.
Terri: I had little prior knowledge about butterflies. I knew of their existence but had not really considered them except to enjoy
their beauty. After being immersed in this learning experience I can identify over forty species and describe their habitat.
Stacey: As I started this project my knowledge of butterflies was limited to pictures of monarchs my own 4 th grade teacher
shared. I had no knowledge of the wide range of butterfly species we have in Florida and I wasn’t aware that there was a
concern for endangered species of butterflies. My knowledge of butterflies, their habitat, and the behaviors of certain species has
increased tremendously. I am now able to identify species of butterflies that only a few months ago I wasn’t even aware of. This
has greatly changed my view of the world and made me more aware of my own natural habitat.
Steve: While in college, I took an entomology class in which we collected many different families and species of insects. Taking
this summer course has refreshed some of the knowledge of where to find the different types of insects. I have never done
anything quite as fulfilling as tracking rare butterflies and taking pictures, instead of killing and typing them. I have learned to
look for the conditions of the habitat and ecosystem in which the butterflies live in order to locate and identify them properly. I
have learned to identify many different species of butterflies by the way they fly, the way they land, wing shape, body shape, and
many other attributes. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how to track the rare butterflies at the Park.
References
Cech, R. a. (2005). Butterflies of the East Coast. New Jersey: Princeton
University Press.
Glassberg, J., Minno, M. C., & Clahoun, J. V. (2000). Butterflies Through
Binoculars: A Field, Finding, and Gardening Guide to Butterflies in Florida.
New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.
Harder, D. J. (2007, Fall/Winter). Definitive Destination: Elinor Klapp-Phipps
Park, Leo County, Florida. American Butterflies , pp. 4-15.
Jue, D. (n.d.). Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Butterflies & Bluebirds. Elinor KlappPhipps Park Butterflies & Bluebirds . Tallahassee, Florida, USA: City of
Tallahassee.
Jue, S. (2008, June 10). Conservation Lands Biologist. (S. F. Bass,
Interviewer)
Swengel, A. (2004, Spring). Straight Talk About Butterfly Habitat Management.
American Butterflies , pp. 16-22.