Summer to Autumn Population of Wild Eumaeus atala on the Ft. Lauderdale Campus of Nova Southeastern University
Abstract
Eumaeus atala is an endangered tropical butterfly native to the Caribbean and some parts of Florida, USA. Following population reductions primarily due to habitat loss, Eumaeus populations are now increasing due to conservation efforts of its cycad host plants, especially Zamia integrifolia (coontie). The purpose of this study was to observe, document, and measure the population of wild Eumaeus on the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida campus of Nova Southeastern University where landscaping use of host plants supports a natural population of Eumaeus. Forty-four host plants located in two different sites were observed for 14 weeks. One site (Baseball Field) possessed most of the host plants (n=40) that were packed closely together in direct sunlight, while the other (Mesozoic Garden) had smaller plants (n=4) that were spread out in a shaded environment. On each survey date each plant was inspected to quantify the number of larvae (caterpillars), hatched and unhatched pupae, and butterflies. Butterflies were observed on 8 of 14 observation dates. Most had recently emerged from chrysali, and some were observed laying eggs. Plants ranged in hemispheric area from 2.3cm2 to 2,776.5cm2 . Larval densities ranged from 0 to 0.14 larvae cm-2, and 77.3% of the plants hosted larvae at some point during the observation period. This study documents the importance of native plant landscaping at NSU to support an endangered species, and these data can be used as a baseline for future studies.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Joshua Feingold
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-6-2021 12:00 PM
End Date
4-9-2021 12:00 PM
Summer to Autumn Population of Wild Eumaeus atala on the Ft. Lauderdale Campus of Nova Southeastern University
Alvin Sherman Library
Eumaeus atala is an endangered tropical butterfly native to the Caribbean and some parts of Florida, USA. Following population reductions primarily due to habitat loss, Eumaeus populations are now increasing due to conservation efforts of its cycad host plants, especially Zamia integrifolia (coontie). The purpose of this study was to observe, document, and measure the population of wild Eumaeus on the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida campus of Nova Southeastern University where landscaping use of host plants supports a natural population of Eumaeus. Forty-four host plants located in two different sites were observed for 14 weeks. One site (Baseball Field) possessed most of the host plants (n=40) that were packed closely together in direct sunlight, while the other (Mesozoic Garden) had smaller plants (n=4) that were spread out in a shaded environment. On each survey date each plant was inspected to quantify the number of larvae (caterpillars), hatched and unhatched pupae, and butterflies. Butterflies were observed on 8 of 14 observation dates. Most had recently emerged from chrysali, and some were observed laying eggs. Plants ranged in hemispheric area from 2.3cm2 to 2,776.5cm2 . Larval densities ranged from 0 to 0.14 larvae cm-2, and 77.3% of the plants hosted larvae at some point during the observation period. This study documents the importance of native plant landscaping at NSU to support an endangered species, and these data can be used as a baseline for future studies.
