A Review of the Status of the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) in Virginia
Chazal AC, Roble SM, Hobson CS. 2010. A Review of the Status of the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) in Virginia. Banisteria. 35:32-46
ABSTRACT: The Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) has declined over much of its historic range in the past quarter century, including a near total loss of populations east of the Mississippi River. Only two extant populations of S. idalia are known in the eastern United States, including one each in Pennsylvania and Virginia. This paper presents a summary of known Regal Fritillary occurrences in Virginia based on literature accounts, museum collections, Internet resources, and 16 years of survey effort. Though once documented in 39 counties in Virginia, only six counties have yielded observations of S. idalia since 1995, and only one colony is known to persist. In light of the decline of S. idalia, conservation steps including legal listing, further surveys, and basic research to understand its life history are warranted.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Chazal, Anne; Roble, Steven; Hobson, Christopher
- Units
- BLRI , MANA , SHEN
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, BLRI, Blue Ridge Parkway, fritillary, Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, rare species, roadside surveys, SER, Southeast Region, Speyeria idalia, status, Virginia