Neonympha mitchellii explained

Neonympha mitchellii is an endangered species of nymphalid butterfly of the eastern United States. There are two known subspecies:^[1]

• N. m. mitchellii, the nominate subspecies, commonly called Mitchell's satyr or Mitchell's marsh satyr,^[2] is found in Michigan and Indiana.^[1] The species is presumably extirpated from former ranges in Ohio (last seen in the 1950s), New Jersey (last seen in 1988), and Wisconsin.^[1]
• N. m. francisci, commonly called Saint Francis' satyr, is found in a single metapopulation in a 10 × 10 km area of Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

Recent discoveries since 1998 of populations in Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia are being studied for taxonomic classification, and may be grouped with N. m. mitchellii or be described as new subspecies.^[1]

All subspecies, including those newly discovered, are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act.^[1]

Its larvae can feed upon the highly-invasive Japanese stilt grass Microstegium vimineum, so populations of this butterfly are potentially at risk from efforts to remove stilt grass.^{[3] [4]} A butterfly of similar appearance, the Carolina satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius), is also able to feed upon stilt grass.^[5]

Description

Both subspecies are small brown butterflies with a wingspan rage of 34–44 mm.^{[6] [7]} The upper surfaces of their wings are unmarked, while the undersides of the wings have rows of round, yellow-ringed eyespots.^[8] N. m. francisci is slightly darker, with more irregularly shaped eyespots.^[8]

Their eggs are greenish white to cream, becoming tan as they age.^[8] The larvae's dark head can be seen a day or two before hatching.^[8] First instar larvae, 3–4 mm long, have dark brown bilobed heads, while four subsequent instars, 6–12 mm long, have green bilobed heads, and green bodies with raised white ridges along the sides.^{[1] [8]}

The chrysalis is 10.5–15.5 mm long, suspended with the head down.^{[1] [8]} It is a light lime green, with pale green or white speckling, and turns a medium brown about two days before eclosion.^{[1] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Hamm. C. A.. Rademacher. V.. Landis. D. A.. Williams. B. L.. Conservation Genetics and the Implication for Recovery of the Endangered Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly, Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii. Journal of Heredity. 105. 1. 2013. 19–27. 0022-1503. 10.1093/jhered/est073 . 19 December 2013. 24158752. free. .
2. Book: Albrecht. Carl W.. Watkins. Reed A.. A cross-reference to names of Ohio skippers and butterflies: (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea). 19 December 2013. July 1983. College of Biological Sciences, The Ohio State University in cooperation with the Ohio Lepidopterists. 978-0-86727-095-2. 14.
3. Web site: Mitchell's Satyr . USF Water Institute. 2017-12-06 .
4. Web site: Host and Nectar Plants . USF Water Institute. 2017-12-06 .
5. Web site: Butterflies of North Carolina . NC Parks Service. 2017-12-06 .
6. Web site: Neonympha mitchellii mitchelli . Michigan Natural Features Inventory . College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University . 20 December 2013 .
7. News: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Emergency Rule To List the Saint Francis' Satyr as Endangered . . Government Printing Office . 59 . 74 . 18 April 1994 . 20 December 2013.
8. Web site: Critter Catalog: Neonympha mitchellii, Mitchell's satyr . BioKIDS – Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species . The University of Michigan . 20 December 2013 .