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ViewAttendees 4

10-Minute Paper

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

SysEB: Conservation

First reintroduction of the imperiled frosted elfin butterfly to Georgia

Sunday, November 5, 2023
8:48 AM – 9:00 AM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Maryland D
In-Person
The frosted elfin butterfly (Callophrys irus) is currently being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The species was previously extirpated from the state of Georgia, last reported in 2005. Apalachicola National Forest in Florida contains the only population considered "high condition" based on population size, host plant population size, documented environmental stressors, and habitat conditions. We translocated 30 late-instar larvae in spring 2022 and 30 lab-eclosed adults in spring 2023 from this population to the Jones Center at Ichauway, an 11,000-ha longleaf pine woodland property in Southwest Georgia that contains healthy populations of the host plant, sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis). We released twenty-six individuals as adults and resighted five a total of 15 times. Of the 30 larvae released in 2022, three were confirmed eclosed in 2023, however, more may have evaded detection. We also found evidence of reproduction (n = 26 eggs on lupine flowers) and were able to collect two larvae to overwinter in the lab and signed an additional two that we were unable to collect. We will survey the area again for adults in the spring of 2024 and release more individuals to build up this potential population.