Don't Skip Skippy!

What's the Problem?

The numbers are dropping for the Appalachian Grizzled Skipper Butterfly.

According to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ the Skippers are in the endangered status. This is due to habitat loss. Their host plant is the Dwarf Cinquefoil and they need it much like the Monarch Butterfly needs Milk Weed.

Why is Skippy being skipped?

1. The cause for the decrease in habitat can be traced to the efforts being done to control the invasive Gypsy Moth. The Skippers are being indirectly affected.

2. Because of their low-to-ground flight pattern most butterfly gardens exclude the Skipper.

What's the solution for Skippy?

1. How can we increase this species number and rebuild its habitat?

A. We can incorporate this Butterfly's host plant (the dwarf cinquefoil) into our gardens and/or flower beds and at local parks and organizations.

B. Because of their low-to-ground flight pattern most butterfly gardens exclude the Skipper. A solution would be to plant their host plant in open areas. The Dwarf Cinquefoil is an attractive yellow flower and it could be used as an appropriate lawn decoration.

B. How will your efforts be sustained?

Choose locations to plant that will sustain the native species’ reintroduced into the ecosystem by not having pesticides/insecticides sprayed in the area.

This is one planting site we used. It is near the woods, on a slight hill and has proper sun.

It will also have adequate water supply.

Links and Sources:

New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Species Field Guide

http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/species/fieldguide/view/Pyrgus%20wyandot/

2004 by the Virginia Natural History Societyhttp://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/banisteria/pdf-files/ban24/Banisteria24_Appalachian%20grizzled%20skipper.pdf

Butterflies and Moths of North Americahttps://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Pyrgus-centaureae

From Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrgus_centaureae_wyandot

LEPIDOPTERA (BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS)

https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/apgrzldskip.pdf

Go Botany

https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/potentilla/canadensis/