Experimental management and mark-release-recapture methods fill critical knowledge gaps for an at-risk butterfly

Understanding how management actions affect target species is crucial for designing conservation strategies that meet recovery goals. In the context of Oregon silverspot butterfly (Speyeria = Argynnis zerene hippolyta) conservation, we used experimental habitat manipulations and mark-release-recapture methods to measure the effects of habitat restoration and population augmentation on butterfly vital rates. To understand the butterfly’s response to management, we (1) measured larval survival in response to invasive grass and thatch removal, and (2) used mark-release-recapture methods to estimate phenology, adult survival, and female egg laying of both wild and captive-reared butterflies. We found that reducing the density of invasive grasses and associated thatch, increased larval survival by up to 50 at-risk butterflies, we identified specific ways to improve current management actions to meet recovery goals. These techniques are necessary for developing conservation strategies that will save species from extinction