Christopher Walsh ’25

Effect of decreased snowpack on a rare butterfly’s host plant
Christopher Walsh ’25, Environmental Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

In response to climate change, Earth’s increased global temperature has caused less snowfall and earlier snowmelt in spring. These shifts can alter organism phenology, harming species reliant on temperature-sensitive plants. The frosted elfin butterfly (Callophrys irus) is a species of concern in 14 states. This host plant specialist only lays eggs on small yellow wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) and wild lupine (Lupinus perennis). If neither plant develops by the time butterflies are laying eggs, the population could collapse. To simulate the impact of climate change, five 3m x 3m plots of three treatments (shoveled, trampled, and untouched) were established at Gavins Pond (GP) in Foxborough, MA. Wild yellow indigo growing within the plots was measured biweekly and standard butterfly observation surveys were conducted weekly during the frosted elfin’s flight season. Over three years, we discovered that wild indigo plants developed quicker in the untouched treatments. We found that since 2001, the frosted elfin population at GP has declined significantly and is now likely extinct. We predict that the nutritional content of the wild yellow indigo will vary per treatment. These results highlight the importance of snowpack in plant development and inform conservation efforts for the frosted elfin and similar species. 

Oral Presentation: Wednesday, April 23, 1:06 p.m.