Oregon Silverspot Butterfly Population Augmentation

Oregon Silverspot Butterfly Population Augmentation

Project proposes to capture mated adult female federally threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly (OSB) found within the coastal prairie habitat of Tolowa Dunes State Park and adjacent lands to aid in increasing the population. The project will capture up to 15 mated adult female OSB per season (July-Sep) for captive propagation, and release reared pupae (Winter-early springs) in the coastal prairies back to the same general capture locations in unoccupied suitable caterpillar habitat, and placed in 1 or 2, 3ft x 3ft x 1ft protective mesh cages anchored at each corner to the ground with small metal stakes. Stakes will penetrate the soil no more than 6 in. Once adult butterflies emerge, they will escape the cages and the cages will be removed. Alternatively, larger caterpillars may be released directly onto violet plants. Some proportion of these released individuals would then be recaptured in subsequent years for continued propagation efforts.

Del Norte