Rearing techniques for butterfly species at risk

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Mottled Duskywing are an endangered species in Canada under the Species at Risk Act. Our research fills in**critical knowledge gaps, required to achieve the overall recovery goal of the species in Ontario, which is to**ensure that existing threats to metapopulations and habitat are sufficiently mitigated to allow for the long-term**persistence and expansion of the species into unoccupied suitable habitats. We propose to use a closely-related**species with a similar life history, Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), as a surrogate species to test**different captive rearing techniques and estimate survival. Our research objectives are to: (1) determine the**optimal conditions for Erynnis egg and larval development, (2) develop a captive rearing protocol, and (3) test**different treatments to overwinter individuals. Methods developed can also be used in the future for other**at-risk pollinator species. At the global scale, declines in pollinator populations and species diversity have**raised concerns regarding potential risks to global food security and economic development. The research**provides an excellent opportunity for academic and industry collaboration in Canada to realize the economic**benefits of protecting and recovering species at risk and economically important pollinators threatened by**climate change and other anthropogenic factors.**