Matthew Look ’22
Rare elfin abundance correlates with host plant density
Matthew Look ’22, Envirnomental Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology
The rare frosted elfin butterfly (Callophrys irus) is a host plant specialist; it lays eggs on only two plant species, including small yellow indigo (Baptisia tinctoria). This makes the butterfly especially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. Using indigo samples and butterfly survey data, we examined the effect of indigo quantity and quality on elfin abundance at Gavins Pond (Sharon/Foxboro, MA). Indigo density significantly affected butterfly count—frosted elfins were more likely to be spotted in patches with high indigo density. While nutritional analysis is ongoing, current findings suggest that augmenting host plant quantity may help this frosted elfin population.
Poster Presentation: Wednesday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
