Coenonympha nipisiquit explained

Coenonympha nipisiquit, the maritime ringlet, is a rare butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is a "species at risk" in Canada due to water pollution and its limited range.^[1] Its range is restricted in Canada to the Chaleur Bay region, between New Brunswick and the Gaspé Peninsula.^{[2] [3]}

About

The species was discovered near Bathurst, New Brunswick by J. McDunnough in 1939. Of the six salt marshes where the maritime ringlet is found in New Brunswick, four of these sites are located within only a 10 km radius in or near Bathurst Harbour. The maritime ringlet is preyed on by birds and larger insects.^[4]

The larvae feed only on salt-meadow cordgrass (Spartina patens). Sea lavender (Limonium nashii) is its preferred nectar plant.^[5]

Dr. Reginald Webster, a self-employed Fredericton-based entomologist,^[6] was responsible from 1993 on for a WWF-funded project^[7] that led to the implementation of a recovery plan, monitoring protocol, and successful introduction of a new colony in the Acadian Peninsula.^[4]

Similar species

Coenonympha tullia – common ringlet

External links

• Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility
• Maritime ringlet, Natural Resources, New Brunswick
• Maritime ringlet, Bathurst Sustainable Development
• Maritime ringlet, Maritime Butterfly Atlas

Notes and References

1. Web site: Canadian Biodiversity: Species: Species at risk: Maritime Ringlet Butterfly . Canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca . 2013-10-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061238/http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/species/endangered/endangeredpages/coe_tul.htm . 23 October 2013 . dead .
2. http://www.cbif.gc.ca/spp_pages/butterflies/species/MaritimeRinglet_e.php Maritime Ringlet
3. Sei M. (2009). Flight and Oviposition Behavior of the Adult Maritime Ringlet (Coenonympha nipisiquit McDunnough) Females in Response to Microhabitat. Journal of Insect Behavior 22:87–100.
4. http://www.bathurst.ca/dalyPrograms.php?id=4 bathurst.ca: "Monitoring the Endangered Maritime Ringlet Butterfly"
5. http://www.cbif.gc.ca/eng/species-bank/butterflies-of-canada/maritime-ringlet/?id=1370403265682 cbif.gc.ca: "Maritime Ringlet (Coenonympha nipisiquit) (McDunnough, 1939)"
6. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-beetle-species-discovered-in-fredericton-park-1.2722462 cbc.ca: "New beetle species discovered in Fredericton park"
7. http://www.elements.nb.ca/theme/endangeredspecies/butterfly/mringlet.htm elements.nb.ca: "The Endangered Maritime Ringlet Butterfly"