The Saint Francis's satyr (Neonympha mitchellii francisci) is a butterfly subspecies found only in the US state of North Carolina. First discovered in 1983, it was first described by David K. Parshall and Thomas W. Kral in 1989 and listed as federally endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1994. It is a subspecies of N. mitchellii and is restricted to a single metapopulation on Fort Bragg military base in Hoke and Cumberland counties. The other subspecies, Mitchell's satyr (Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii), is also federally endangered.

Physical characteristics

The Saint Francis's satyr is a small butterfly with an average wingspan of 34–44 mm. It is dark brown, with distinguishing eyespots along the lower surfaces of both the upper and lower wings. The eyespots on its wings are primarily dark brown or maroon, rimmed with yellow and with flecks of white that reflect silver in the middle. They are usually round or slightly oval and found on the forewing and hindwing. There are two bright orange bands running along the lower wing edges and two darker orange bands across the middle of each wing. Females appear slightly larger and lighter brown than males, which is an example of sexual dimorphism. and North Carolina State University

The diet of the Saint Francis's satyr as an adult consists primarily of nectar and tree sap. It also has been known to consume dung, pollen, and rotten fruit. In many cases, it is attracted to sodium, resulting in attraction to human sweat.

Habitat

The Saint Francis's satyr's habitat is composed of wide, open grasslands; wetlands; and sedge-dominant ecosystems that experience regular natural disturbance. The IUCN has yet to evaluate the Saint Francis' satyr.

Major threats

The Endangered Species Act (1973) outlines five criteria for committees to evaluate a species' status, seen below. At the time of its emergency listing in 1994, the Saint Francis' satyr faced threats in multiple of these categories.

Destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat or range: The Saint Francis's satyr has experienced extensive habitat destruction and modification due to environmental change in the past 100 years. These changes resulted in the loss of the creation of wet meadow habitat due to beaver hunting and control measures, as well as human fire suppression. Experts believe the butterfly used to occupy a larger range but it has been reduced to two counties in North Carolina. To do so, there are regulations and a recovery plan in place.

Regulations

The ESA prohibits the sale, import, export, and removal of the Saint Francis's satyr to limit collection pressures.

References

  • Lessig, H.; Wilson, J.; Hudgens, B. & Haddad, N. (2010). "Research for the conservation and restoration of an endangered butterfly, the St. Francis' satyr". Report to the Endangered Species Branch, Ft. Bragg NC.
  • U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1996. Saint Francis' Satyr Recovery Plan. Atlanta, GA. 27 pp.