RATIONALE

It is widely believed that some kinds of butterflies and moths are in danger of disappearing from Ohio (or have already disappeared). In 1987, four butterflies were reported as endangered in Ohio (Persius dusky wing, frosted elfin, Karner blue, swamp metalmark), one species as threatened (silver-bordered fritillary), and four of special concern (grizzled skipper, olympia marblewing, Edward's hairstreak, regal fritillary; Shuey et al., 1987). The Karner blue has disappeared from Ohio and the regal fritillary, which was widely distributed in Ohio prior to the early 1970s, has not been sighted in Ohio for several years.

Proposed reasons for these declines in abundance include habitat changes and pesticide use. Long-term data that track regional and local trends in abundance are essential to revealing population declines before their final stages; declines are hidden when they occur slowly and/or lag years behind their causes.

Long term data can provide a wealth of information including: fluctuations in numbers due to short-term and long term effects, colonization and extinction as habitats undergo progression, expansion and contractions of range, migrations, immigrations of non-native species, flight periods of butterflies, seasonal variations in abundance, and overall health of the butterflies of Ohio. Most of what is currently known about the butterflies of Ohio is based on museum specimens, which tend to be freshly emerged specimens, and anecdotal recall from experienced lepidopterists. There is still much to be learned over time.