Surveying midwestern ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) communities to facilitate successful Karner blue (Lycaeines melissa samuelis Nabokov) introductions

The Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeines melissa samuelis Nabokov) is an endangered species that has experienced a significant reduction across its range, including extirpation from Minnesota. Within Minnesota, there is interest in introducing the Karner blue Butterfly to sites where it previously did not exist. Important to its survival, Karner blue has a facultative mutualistic relationship with ants across its range. Several ant species help to increase species success through interactions with the immature stage where they deter parasitoids and spiders. Little is known about ant populations in Minnesota representing a critical gap in knowledge that could significantly reduce introduction efforts. Ants were sampled using pitfall traps during the two Karner blue flight periods at three geographic locations representing (a) current Karner blue habitat in Wisconsin, (b) a previously occupied Karner blue habitat in Minnesota, and (c) a proposed habitat for future Karner blue introduction. These locations were surveyed to assess ant community composition and determine if species known to associate with Karner blue were present. The findings will be used to assess the capacity of current ant populations at the proposed release site to provide biotic protection to assure introduction success.

We will account for the monitoring of ant population change following the introduction of Karner blue. This data will be used to improve the success of introduction efforts in Minnesota. Critical to a successful introduction of Karner blue is ensuring that biotic factors are maximized for its survival.