This level of state protection means: The species is not listed or protected by New York State.

Transcription

1 Northern Metalmark Northern Metalmark Scientific Name Family Name Calephelis borealis (Grote and Robinson, 1866) Riodinidae Metalmarks Photo credits: Steve Walter Did you know? The metalmarks are a diverse family of butterflies that mainly occur in the tropics. The northern metalmark is the only species of this family that occurs in New York. Unlike almost all other butterflies, metalmarks often rest flat against the undersides of leaves with the upper surface visible. The metalmark's contrasting orange underside may serve to startle or confuse predators, similar to the colorful hindwings of underwing moths (genus Catocala). Summary Protection Not listed in New York State, not listed federally. This level of state protection means: The species is not listed or protected by New York State. Rarity G3G4, S1 A global rarity rank of G3G4 means: Vulnerable globally, or Apparently Secure -- At moderate risk of extinction, with relatively few populations or locations in the world, few individuals, and/or restricted range; or uncommon but not rare globally; may be rare in some parts of its range; possibly some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors. More information is needed to assign a single conservation status. A state rarity rank of S1 means: Typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology makes it especially vulnerable in New York State. Conservation Status in New York This species has been recently recorded in Dutchess County in 2007 and The only other documented population statewide was based on collections in Orange County before The 2007 discovery was the first since the 1860s. This species is globally uncommon to rare and it is very rare in New York. NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis)

2 Short-term Trends The short-term trends are unknown. Long-term Trends The long-term trends are unknown. The species has been reported at three locations in Dutchess County in 2007 and 2013, but has not been reported elsewhere in the state since the 1860s. Conservation and Management Threats The main threats would be habitat loss to development, invasive plants, succession, and the isolation of the remaining colonies. It is not known whether the remaining populations are large enough to persist. Deer are also a potentially serious threat. While they do not severely graze the foliage of the foodplant, roundleaf ragwort (Packera [better known as Senecio] obovata), they do eat the flowers which could reduce the foodplant in the long term. Of most immediate concern though is the elimination of nectar sources by deer. This has been observed several times in potential, but unoccupied, habitats in New Jersey. Gypsy moth spraying could also be a threat, but the potential sensitivity of larvae to Btk ( Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki - a bacterial biological control used on gypsy moth caterpillars) is unknown. Conservation Strategies and Management Practices Potential management needs include deer management, invasive plant and pest control, and habitat management and restoration. If deer browse is identified as a threat, there are a number of deer management techniques that can be employed. In small areas, tall fencing can prevent deer from browsing on plants. Exclosures should include roundleaf ragwort (Packaera obovata) and nectar sources. If deer browse is a significant issue, consultation with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is recommended. Invasive species should be controlled to ensure the foodplant and nectar sources remain. Management techniques include mechanical removal, chemical treatment directly to the invasive plant, and some can be eliminated with biocontrols, such as parasites that specially target specific species. Mid to late larval instars of northern metalmark are present at the recommended spraying time of Btk for gypsy moth. It is unknown how northern metalmark larvae are affected by Btk, therefore direct spraying is not recommended in areas with known northern metalmark populations. Habitat restoration could include selective logging to open the canopy which would result in suitable habitat for P. obovata and to provide some connectivity to other nearby populations when possible. It would be beneficial to plant nectar souces near P. obovata because northern metalmarks are weak fliers and tend to stay near their foodplant unless there is a shortage of nectar. Research Needs Research is needed to determine the affects of Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki) on northern metalmark larvae. Additional studies are needed to better understand metapopulation dynamics and how selective logging may improve connectivity between subpopulations. NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis) 2

3 Habitat The habitat in New York appears to be openings in wooded limestone ridges with the foodplant roundleaf ragwort (Packaera obovata), but the details are limited. The adults are said to also occur in nearby wetlands as they do in New Jersey. The typical habitats in states adjacent to New York include both natural openings on cliffs, ledges, or very rocky soil and also powerlines. The presence of nectar flowers in July is likely to be crucial and adults that are seen in wetlands may be there in search of nectar. Associated Ecological Communities Rich Sloping Fen A small, gently sloping wetland that occurs in a shallow depression on a slope composed of calcareous glacial deposits. Sloping fens are fed by small springs or groundwater seepage. Like other rich fens, their water sources have high concentrations of minerals and high ph values, generally from 6.0 to 7.8. They often have water flowing at the surface in small channels or rivulets. Other Probable Associated Communities Limestone woodland Identification Comments Identifying Characteristics Northern metalmark is a small butterfly cm ( in). Males have a rounded forewing while females have a squared forewing. The upper side of northern metalmark wings are chestnut brown with a pattern of dark median bands. The outer margin has two thin, metallic silver bands with a band of dark spots between them. There is a whitish outer fringe. The underside of the wings is orange with altering black and metallic silver markings. The adult is unmistakable in New York, but is very similar to several species belonging to the same genus occuring in other states. The caterpillar is green with black dots and long white hairs. The larva is similar to the Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis), illustrated by Wagner (2005), but it would occur on or under the foodplant, roundleaf ragwort (Packera obovata). There are numerous other hairy white caterpillars, but the details for Northern Metalmark differ substantially and an experienced Lepidopterist could confirm a mature larva to genus based on Wagner's (2005) illustration and text. In New York, the genus identification of a larva along with the foodplant would confirm the species. Characteristics Most Useful for Identification Note the metallic silver markings on the top of the wings and the orange underside. There are no similar species in New York. The illustration of the larva and the adult in Wagner (2005) of the related Calephelis virginiensis would suffice to recognize northern metalmark in and near New York. NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis) 3

4 Present Reproducing Larvae present and activ Pupae or prepupae prese Best Life Stage for Identifying This Species Behavior Diet Identification will usually be as an adult, but larvae or photos of them can be identified by an experienced Lepidopterist. The larva would be on or under the foodplant, roundleaf ragwort, however, there are other hairy white caterpillars that use the same plant. Adults perch on underside of leaves of shrubs or small trees. They are most often seen perched in sunny spots or on flowers. They will move short distances from their main habitats to obtain nectar and perhaps for other reasons. The larvae eat the leaves of roundleaf ragwort (Packera obovata). The adults take nectar from a variety of flowers. The Best Time to See In New York, this species has a flight period of about three weeks beginning in late June or July. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec The time of year you would expect to find Northern Metalmark in New York. Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Animalia Mandibulates (Mandibulata) Class Insects (Insecta) Order Butterflies, Skippers, and Moths (Lepidoptera) Family Riodinidae (Metalmarks) Additional Resources Links NatureServe Explorer IS Google Images NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis) 4

5 References Allen, T.J., J.P. Brock, and J. Glassberg Caterpillars in the field and garden. Oxford University Press, New York. 232 pp. Brock, J. P., and K. Kaufman Butterflies of North America. Kaufman Focus Field Guides, Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, NY 284 pp. Forbes, William T. M Lepidoptera of New York and neighboring states part IV. Cornell University Experiment Station Memoir 371. Iftner, D. C., J. A. Shuey, and J. V. Calhoun Butterflies and Skippers of Ohio. Ohio Biological Survey Bulletin. New Series, Vol. 9, no. 1, xii pp., 40 color plates. Keys, Jr.,J.; Carpenter, C.; Hooks, S.; Koenig, F.; McNab, W.H.; Russell, W.;Smith, M.L Ecological units of the eastern United States - first approximation (cd-rom), Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. GIS coverage in ARCINFO format, selected imagery, and map unit tables. NatureServe NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, Virginia. USA O'Donnell, J.E., L.F. Gall., and D.L. Wagner, eds The Connecticut Butterfly Atlas. State Geological and Natural History Survey of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Hartford. 376 pp. Opler, P.A. and V. Malikul Eastern Butterflies (Peterson Field Guide). Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 396 pp. + color plates. Scott, J. A The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford University Press, Stanford CA. 583 pp. Shapiro, A.M Butterflies and skippers of New York State. Search 4:1-60. Shapiro, Arthur M Butterflies of the Delaware Valley. The American Entomological Society. Special Publication. 79pp. Wagner, D.L Caterpillars of eastern North America. Princeton University Press. Princeton, New Jersey. 512 pp. New York Natural Heritage Program 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY Phone: (518) acris@nynhp.org This project is made possible with funding from: - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program - Division of Lands & Forests, Department of Environmental Conservation - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Information for this guide was last updated on Jun 29, 2018 This guide was authored by Dale Schweitzer and Hollie Y. Shaw NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis) 5