Student Abstracts: Biology at FERMI

Evaluation of Diversity of Butterfly Population in the Fermilab Prairie. . MARISA LANNERT (University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60134) TOM PETERSON (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL 60510) .
Butterfly species diversity is an important aspect of evaluating quality of prairie reconstruction projects. Butterflies are considered an indicator species due to their specific habitat preferences and needs. This study was conducted using an Euler circuit in conjunction with butterfly monitoring methods. The species were identified and counted in various habitats of the prairie. Three different environments were evaluated: the open prairie used by the public, open prairie not used by the public, and the savanna/transition area of the Interpretive Trails section of the Fermilab Prairie Reconstruction Project. Data was collected each afternoon (weather permitting) and the number of butterflies was counted as well as the number of species. After data was collected, it was determined the woods edge/transition area was the habitat that contained the more diverse population of butterflies. The data also indicated that the prairie contained two remnant-dependent species. Those species help describe the quality of the reconstructed prairie. Further research can be done in order to evaluate the changes in the prairie for future years and determine the success or decline of the Fermilab Prairie Reconstruction Project.