Species Fact Sheet s2

(NatureServe 2011).

Technical Description:

Adult: Speyeria egleis is a member of the Nymphalidae, a large and diverse family commonly known as the brush-foots for the near-loss of the forelegs (Pyle 2002). The genus Speyeria is an easily recognizable group of medium- to large-sized butterflies, orange with black spots, lines, and chains above, and often with silvered cream-colored spots on the hindwings below (Dornfeld 1980). The ground color of the center of the ventral hindwing, called the disc, is often diagnostic of certain species (Pyle 2002); however, Speyeria varies infamously within and across species and subspecies, and identification within this genus is notoriously difficult (Pyle 2002, Dornfeld 1980).

With a less than 6 cm (2.25 in.) wingspread, S. egleis is smaller and has shorter wings than many other Speyeria species (Pyle 2002). It is variably orange to brownish-orange above, with heavy dark scaling on the veins and basal areas of the wings (Pyle 2002, Dornfeld 1980). The small rounded spots on the ventral hindwing are variably silvered, capped with a narrow extension of brown or green (Scott 1986), and reflect strongly on the dorsal side as light blotches (Dornfeld 1980). The ventral hindwing disc is generally muddy brown and streaked with olive or tan (Pyle 2002).

There are several Speyeria species with which S. egleis may be confused; in the Northwest, S. mormonia, S. coronis, S. callippe, S. zerene are the most likely. Speyeria egleis tends to be a bit bigger than S. mormonia (Scott 1986). It is smaller than Speyeria coronis, with narrower caps on the marginal spots and smaller silver spots that do not show through the dorsum (Pyle 2002, Scott 1986). Northwestern S. egleis is also smaller than Speyeria zerene, its ventral disc is typically more green-brown than red-brown, and the forewings of the males are more pointed (Pyle 2002, Scott 1986). The marginal spots of the hindwing are similar to those of S. zerene (“lenslike,” capped with brown or green), but the other ventral spots are smaller than those of S. zerene, S. callipe, and S. coronis (Scott 1986).

Pelham (2008) describes thirteen subspecies of S. egleis; six occupy areas of Oregon and Washington, described as follows:

S. egleis egleis is a dull orange above, tannish below, and silvered or unsilvered (Warren 2005, Pyle 2002). A segregate at the northernmost edge of the subspecies’ range—S. egleis nr. egleis—is paler above, and well-silvered below (Warren 2005, Pyle 2002).

S. e. mattooni is variable but dark overall, reddish disced, lightly silvered (Pyle 2002). This subspecies can be confused with S. mormonia mormonia but it has less rounded forewings, thicker veins (more scaling), the median spots of the males are wider, the marginal crescents do not touch the black line as much, and the orange of the ventral forewings is less uniform. S. e. mattooni is also similar to, but slightly darker than, S. e. oweni, and only lightly silvered (Warren 2005).

S. e. oweni is larger than S. e. mattooni and is darker above and below, with a reddish to purplish disc, tan submarginal band, and silvered spots (Pyle 2002, Scott 1986). This subspecies can be confused with S. zerene or S. hydaspe where ranges overlap, but it is smaller than both, with smaller and more heavily silvered spots, and more orange on the ventral forewing (Warren 2005). S. e. oweni is not as abundant as many of the species and subspecies that fly with it (Dornfeld 1980).

S. e. moeki flies with and is often confused with S. mormonia erinna in Oregon (Dornfeld 1980), but is smaller and darker below, with rounder spots (Pyle 2002). This subspecies is smaller than most other S. egleis subspecies. It is also similar to but darker than S. e. oweni. It is usually mostly silvered below (Warren 2005).

The ventral discs of both S. e. linda and S. callippe nevadensis are notably greenish to reddish brown (Pyle 2002, Scott 1986, Dornfeld 1980), but S. e. linda exhibits less triangular marginal spots, and its ventral disc is darker (Scott 1986). S. e. linda also integrades with S. e. oweni in Washington and Northeastern Oregon (Scott 1986, Dornfeld 1980).

S. e. macdunnoghi is the largest of the S. egleis subspecies in Oregon (Warren 2005). Populations are also greener than topotypical S. e. macdunnoughi, possibly from influence of S. e. linda (Warren 2005). On account of geographic variation of S. egleis in eastern Oregon and Idaho, Warren (2005) calls populations in the Ochoco, Blue, Wallowa, and Aldrich Mountains S. e. nr. macdunnoughi. This subspecies is heavily scaled at the base and along the margin and veins above, and the olive-tan disc below invades the yellow band with dark scales (Pyle 2002). The spots are well-silvered and contrast strongly with ventral ground color; above, they are reflected as prominent yellow blotches (Dornfeld 1980). (According to Warren [2005], the male and female photos of S. e. macdunnoghi in Pyle 2002 are reversed [p. 273, upper right and left], and the second male photo [lower right] is actually either S. hydaspe or S. zerene.) Dornfeld (1980) notes that in the Ochoco Mountains, this species is usually found at higher elevations than other species, and is seldom abundant.

Immature stages: S. egleis eggs are pale yellow to tan in color (Scott 1986). Larvae are gray-brown, with a dark mid-dorsal line framed in yellow, and black-tipped dorsal and subdorsal spines (Scott 1986). The dorsal spines are white at the base; the others are yellow (Scott 1986). The larva has a black head and is yellowish toward the back of the body (Scott 1986). The pupa is a dark mottled brown with especially dark wing cases, and a yellow-brown abdomen with a dark anterior border on each segment (Pyle 2002, Scott 1986).

Life History:

Speyeria lay their eggs singly and haphazardly near, but not usually on, Viola sp. (Scott 1986). Pyle (2002) reports that S. egleis uses Viola nuttalli, Viola purpurea, and V. adunca, among others, as larval hosts. S. egleis has one generation per year, flying from mid-to-late June to mid-August/early September, peaking in July (Scott 1986, Pyle 2002). Most records are from July (Warren 2005). Speyeria are strong fliers and can probably colonize new sites within a few kilometers of an existing population (Pyle 2002). They are also avid nectar feeders, and have been reported on thistles, wild asters and sunflowers, penstemons, mint, dogbane, and rabbit-brush (Dornfeld 1980). Males patrol sunny meadows, ridgelines, and hilltops (Dornfeld 1980). Adults rest with wings closed, and bask with wings spread (Scott 1986). Unfed first-stage larvae hibernate (Scott 1986).

Range, Distribution, and Abundance:

Rangewide: Speyeria egleis occurs in North America from the Rocky Mountain states, west to Washington, Oregon, and California (Dornfeld 1980). Although S. egleis was long unknown in Canada (Pyle 2002), it has recently been recorded in Alberta (NatureServe 2011).

Washington: In Washington, this taxon is documented from Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Spokane, and Yakima Counties. Known sites are in the Okanogan Highlands, Palouse Hills, and southern Cascades. Apparently stable populations are known from east and northeast of Mt. Adams, and the Blue Mountains (Pyle 2002). Records of S. egleis in northeastern Washington are scattered.

Oregon: This species is locally common in the Wallowa-Blue Mountains, Ochocos, central and southern Cascades, and Siskyous, and may be most abundant in the Warner Mountains (Warren 2005, Pyle 2002). It is known from Lake, Jackson, Klamath, Curry, Josephine, Deschutes, Douglas, Jefferson, Baker, Crook, Grant, Harney, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wheeler and Malheur Counties. It is suspected from Coos, Douglas, Lane, Linn, and Morrow Counties. Records are generally from about 600 m (2000 ft.) (e.g., Kinney Creek, Jackson County) to 3000 m (9800 ft.) (e.g., Matterhorn Mountain, Wallowa County) (Warren 2005). Speyeria egleis moeki is mostly found in the pumice flats around Mount Mazama (Pyle 2002), but males also hilltop to over 2300 m (7500 ft.) (Warren 2005).

BLM/Forest Service Land: In Washington, Speyeria egleis is documented on Umatilla National Forest and suspected by the Colville, Gifford Pinchot, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Spokane BLM District. In Oregon, this species is documented from Wallowa-Whitman, Malheur, Ochoco, Deschutes, Umatilla, Umpqua, Rogue River-Siskiyou, Fremont-Winema, and Willamette National Forests. It is documented on BLM land in the Vale District and suspected on BLM land in the Burns District.

Habitat Associations:

Speyeria egleis usually inhabits montane meadows and ridges, and is frequently found in forest openings and exposed rocky ridges (Scott 1986). Speyeria egleis mcdunnoughi keeps to higher altitudes; S. e. moeki is found in pumice flats (Pyle 2002).

Threats:

In Washington and Oregon, over-grazing in mountain clearings could result in habitat loss and population declines for this species (Pyle 2011, pers. comm.). Additionally, this species may be threatened by over-collection in some parts of its range (e.g., S. e. tehachapina in California) (Murphy 2006 pers. comm.).

Conservation Considerations:

Inventory: In Washington, surveys for S. egleis have not been conducted since the 1980s, or earlier. Surveys are recommended at known sites and adjacent areas with appropriate habitat for this species, especially in Colville National Forest where this species is suspected but not documented.

Management: Protect known and potential sites from practices that would adversely affect any aspect of this species’ life cycle or habitat. Management of forest succession trajectories may be necessary to promote larval and adult resources, such as host and nectaring plants. At grazed sites, adjust grazing regimes to favor violets (Pyle 2011, pers. comm.).

Version 2:

Prepared by: Jessica Miller and Carly Voight, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Date: September 2011

Edited by: Sarah Foltz Jordan, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Date: December 2011

Final edits by: Rob Huff, Conservation Planning Coordinator, FS/BLM-Portland

Date: January 2012

Version 1:

Prepared by: John Fleckenstein, Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Natural Resources

Date: January 2006

Edited by: Rob Huff

Date: June 2007

ATTACHMENTS:

(1) References

(2) List of pertinent or knowledgeable contacts

(3) Map of species distribution

(4) Photographs of species

(5) Lepidoptera survey protocol, including specifics for this species

ATTACHMENT 1: References

Dornfeld, Ernst J. 1980. The Butterflies of Oregon. Timber Press, Forest Grove, Or. 276 pp.

Murphy, D. 2006. Personal communication with John Fleckenstein, Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Natural Resources.

NatureServe. 2011. “Speyeria egleis”. Version 7.1 (2 February 2009). Data last updated: July 2011. Available at: www.natureserve.org/explorer (Accessed: 10/10/2011).

Pelham, J. 2008. A catalogue of the butterflies of the United States and Canada with a complete bibliography of the descriptive and systematic literature. Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera 40: 658 pp.

Pyle, R.M. 2011. Personal communication with Carly Voight, Xerces Society.

Pyle, R.M. 2002. The Butterflies of Cascadia. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, WA. 420 pp.

Scott, James A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford University Press, Stanford CA. 583 pp.

Warren, A.D. 2005. Butterflies of Oregon: their taxonomy, distribution, and biology. Lepidoptera of North America 6. C.P. Gillette Museum. Colorado State University. Fort Collins, CO. 408 pp.

ATTACHMENT 2: List of pertinent or knowledgeable contacts

Robert Pyle

Andy Warren

ATTACHMENT 3: Map of species distribution

Records of Speyeria egleis in Washington and Oregon, relative to Forest Service and BLM lands.

ATTACHMENT 4: Photographs of species

Speyeria egleis egleis, male dorsal view. Photographed along Eagle Meadow Road, Tuolumne County, California by Bill Bouton. http://www.flickr.com/photos/billbouton/sets/ Used with permission.

Speyeria egleis egleis, male ventral view. Photographed along Little Walker River Road, Mono County, California by Kim and Mike Stangeland. http://www.kimandmikeontheroad.com Used with permission.

Speyeria egleis oweni, male ventral view. Photographed at Lassen Peak near Ashpan Butte, in Shasta County, California by Rob Santry. http://www.flickr.com/photos/santry Used with permission.

Speyeria egleis matooni, male dorsal view. Photographed at Mount Ashland, in Ashland County, Oregon by Kim and Mike Stangeland. http://www.kimandmikeontheroad.com Used with permission.

Speyeria egleis moeki, male ventral view. Photographed on Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park, Klamath County, Oregon, by Mark Rainey. www.flickr.com/photos/mcrainey/ Used with permission.

ATTACHMENT 5: Lepidoptera survey protocol, including specifics for this species

Taxonomic group:

Lepidoptera

Where:

Lepidopterans utilize a diversity of terrestrial habitats. When surveying new areas, seek out places with adequate larval food plants, nectar sources, and habitat to sustain a population. Many species have highly specific larval feeding preferences (e.g., limited to one or a few related plant species whose defenses they have evolved to overcome), while other species exhibit more general feeding patterns, including representatives from multiple plant families in their diet. For species-specific dietary preferences and habitat information, see the section at the end of this protocol.

When:

Adults are surveyed in the spring, summer, and fall, within the window of the species’ documented flight period. Although some butterfly species overwinter as adults and live in the adult stage for several months to a year, the adult life span of the species considered here is short and adults are available for only a brief period each year (see species-specific details, below). Larvae are surveyed during the time of year when the larvae are actively foraging on their host plants. Since the foraging period is often quite short (e.g., a couple of weeks) and varies greatly depending on the weather, the timing of these surveys can be challenging (LaBar 2009, pers. comm.).