Солтүстік Америкалық көбелек түрлерінің қорғалуы

Species of butterfly

Euchloe ausonides, the large marble or creamy marblewing, is a species of butterfly that occurs in western North America. In California, it has witnessed population declines since the 1980s, especially in the Central Valley and the Bay Area. In Washington, subspecies the island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides ssp. insulanus) was listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act in 2020.

The caterpillar is a dark green to a bluish gray color that is covered in black dots.

Euchloe ausonides can be found in the west of North America. They can range from the south of Alaska to central California and northern New Mexico.

Euchloe ausonides tend to live in open, sunny areas such as valleys, hillsides, fields and meadows. A requirement of the marble butterfly's habitat is a “host” plant. This provides a place for the butterfly to lay its eggs, and provides food for the growing caterpillars. They will either turn away and continue flight, or hover in courtship. It was once thought to be extinct, but it has been rediscovered on San Juan Island in Washington.

There have been multiple organizations putting in efforts to try and conserve the island marble for many years. Organizations such as US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the San Juan Preservation Trust, The National Park Service, and even a host of private landowners, schools, and concerned citizens have taken a stand to help conserve these endangered butterflies.

Although the island marble has been listed and is now protected under the Endangered Species Act, the rare butterfly still faces many threats. Currently, grazing by deer is a big problem for the endangered species. The mustard plants that the island marble use for larval food and nectar are being eaten by the deer. This may reduce the number of host plants that are suitable for the butterflies to lay their eggs on. Along with this, the deer inadvertently eat the caterpillars, eggs, and pupae. In addition to the deer, there are also threats from non native grazers introduced by people, including invasive European rabbits and snails, which also eat much of the native vegetation. There have been a few actions that have taken place to deal with this problem.