scholarly journals Citizen Science Observations of Monarch Butterfly Overwintering in the Southern United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Howard ◽  
Harlen Aschen ◽  
Andrew K. Davis
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Danaus Plexippus ◽  
Monarch Butterfly ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Southern United States ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Breeding Activity

Members of the public have long had a fascination with the monarch butterfly,Danaus plexippus, because of its amazing long-distance migration to overwintering sites in central Mexico, and many participate in online citizen-science programs where they report observations of its life history in North America. Here, we examine a little-studied aspect of monarch biology, the degree of overwintering in the southern United States. We compiled 9 years of sightings of overwintering monarchs in the southern United States that were reported to Journey North, a web-based citizen science program, to map the distribution of areas where monarchs are capable of surviving during the winter (i.e., in January and February), differentiating between adult sightings and sightings of breeding activity. We also statistically compared the latitudes of adult and breeding sightings, examined differences across years in latitude of sightings, and quantified the number of monarchs reported with each sighting. Of all 254 sightings, 80% came from Florida and Texas, with the remainder coming from South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and even one in Virginia. This distribution was generally consistent with the winter range predicted by prior investigators based on climatic conditions of this region. Sightings of adults were on average from higher latitudes than reports of breeding activity and there was significant variation across years in the average latitude of all sightings. The majority of sightings (94.2%) were of fewer than 10 adult monarchs per location, and there were no reports of clustering behavior that is typical of monarch overwintering in California and Mexico. The results of this investigation broaden our collective understanding of this stage of the monarch life cycle and, more generally, highlight the value of citizen science programs in advancing science.

Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Southern United States ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Redeye Bass

<em>Abstract</em>.—Rivers and streams of the southern United States contain more than 1,800 aquatic species, 500 of which are regionally endemic. At present, 34% of the fish species and 90% of the mussel species in peril nationwide are found in these systems. Declines in these imperiled species are due to many factors, including hydrologic alteration, degraded water quality, loss of instream and watershed connectivity, physical habitat degradation, and the negative effects of nonindigenous species (e.g., predation on, competition with, and hybridization with native forms). In addition, this situation is exacerbated through human population growth, competing water demands, land-use changes, and other interrelated issues. If unchecked, these issues will likely continue to contribute to the imperilment and loss of native species in the region. Of the nine described species and subspecies of black bass, six are endemic to the southern United States: Guadalupe Bass <em>Micropterus treculii</em>, Shoal Bass <em>M. cataractae</em>, Redeye Bass <em>M. coosae</em>, Florida Bass <em>M. floridanus</em>, Alabama Bass <em>M. henshalli</em>, and Suwannee Bass <em>M. notius</em>. In addition, undescribed species and subspecies also exist and all are in need of conservation measures to prevent them from becoming imperiled. In an effort to focus and coordinate actions to support the long-term persistence of endemic black bass populations, local, state, and federal agencies, universities, nongovernmental organizations, and corporations from across the region joined with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to form the Native Black Bass Initiative (NBBI). The NBBI provides regional conservation strategies, objectives, and targets to restore and preserve functional processes in those watersheds that support natural habitat conditions and sustainable populations of endemic black bass and other native fishes of the region. Initial actions implemented through the NBBI focus on addressing the conservation needs of Guadalupe Bass in streams of the Edwards Plateau ecoregion of Texas, Redeye Bass in the Savannah River watershed of Georgia and South Carolina, and Shoal Bass populations in the Apalachicola River watershed of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

scholarly journals Managing Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon with Delayed Transplanting and Cultivar Resistance

Plant Disease ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Keinath ◽  
Timothy W. Coolong ◽  
Justin D. Lanier ◽  
Pingsheng Ji
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Fusarium Wilt ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Southern United States ◽  
Cultivar Resistance ◽  
Race 1 ◽  
Triploid Watermelon ◽  
Marketable Fruit

Fusarium wilt of watermelon caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum is a serious, widespread disease of watermelon throughout the southern United States. To investigate whether soil temperature affects disease development, three cultivars of triploid watermelon were transplanted March 17 to 21, April 7 to 11, and April 26 to May 2 in 2015 and 2016 at Charleston, SC, and Tifton, GA into fields naturally infested with F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum. Incidence of Fusarium wilt was lower with late-season than with early and midseason transplanting in all four experiments (P ≤ 0.01). Cultivar Citation had more wilted plants than the cultivars Fascination and Melody in three of four experiments (P ≤ 0.05). In South Carolina, planting date did not affect weight and number of marketable fruit ≥4.5 kg apiece. In Georgia in 2016, weight and number of marketable fruit were greater with late transplanting than with early and midseason transplanting. In both states, yield and value for Fascination and Melody were higher than for Citation. Soil temperature averaged over the 4-week period after transplanting was negatively correlated with disease incidence for all four experiments (r = –0.737, P = 0.006). Transplanting after mid-April and choosing a cultivar with resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 1, like Fascination, or tolerance, like Melody, can help manage Fusarium wilt of watermelon and increase marketable yields in the southern United States.

scholarly journals Evidence of Differential Migration by Sex in White-Throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia Albicollis)

The Auk ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendell D. Jenkins ◽  
Daniel A. Cristol
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Southern United States ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Differential Migration ◽  
Zonotrichia Albicollis ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Broad Agreement ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Atlantic Flyway

Abstract Differential migrants are species in which one population class migrates farther than another. White-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis), which migrate into the southern United States each autumn in large numbers, have been proposed as a candidate differential migrant (Cristol et al. 1999). Using Bird Banding Lab data, we tested for latitudinal variation in the sex ratio of White-throated Sparrows in the Atlantic and central flyways. We found that the proportion of females increases with decreasing latitude in at least the Atlantic flyway, strongly suggesting that females migrate farther than males. Sex ratios calculated from those banding data were compared to those of museum specimens collected at the same latitudes, as well as single-season population samples at three latitudes in the heart of the winter range. Broad agreement was found using the three independent methods of sampling the sex ratio, so we conclude that White-throated Sparrows are differential migrants.

NEW RECORDS OF PLANT SPECIES USED BY ADULT MONARCH BUTTERFLIES DANAUS PLEXIPPUS L. (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE: DANAINAE) DURING MIGRATION IN MEXICO

1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Rivera García ◽  
Miguel E. Equihua Zamora
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
New Records ◽  
Danaus Plexippus ◽  
Monarch Butterfly ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Cosmopolitan Species

Danausplexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a cosmopolitan species, distributed in America wherever milkweed grows (Amett 1985). Its migratory phenomenon spans Canada, the United States, and Mexico and it has been considered endangered since the 1980s (IUCN 1983).Ackery and Van-Wright (1984) compiled 45 species of food plants used by immature stages and 70 species of plants attractive to adults of the Monarch butterfly. Malcolm and Brower (1986) listed 28 host plant species recorded in nature. Lynch and Martin (1993) added six Asclepias species and observed larvae on three species of milkweed vine, Sarcostemma crispum and S. cynancroides in Texas, and Cynanchum laeve in Louisiana.

scholarly journals (94) White-fleshed Peaches and Nectarines for the Southeastern United States

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1029B-1029
Author(s):  
Desmond R. Layne ◽  
W.R. Okie
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
Brown Rot ◽  
The United States ◽  
Eating Quality ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Clemson University ◽  
Long Distance Transport

White-fleshed peaches and nectarines are delicacies that have been enjoyed for centuries around the world. They are native to China and were introduced to the United States in the 1800s. Some white-fleshed peaches and nectarines are highly perishable and bruise easily, but are of very high eating quality. These are perhaps best suited for the local roadside market, where they can be sold and consumed more quickly. Others are much firmer at harvest, have a longer shelf life. and are suitable for long-distance transport to wholesale markets. White-fleshed peaches and nectarines may have some acidity or they may be very low acid with high sugar content (°Brix). Some novel flat (peento or donut) types also exist. Proximity to an urban market with a substantial Asian population is advantageous because Asians, in particular, often prefer the low-acid flavor and are willing to pay premium prices for high quality fruits. In our peach and nectarine cultivar evaluation program at Clemson University, we are currently evaluating 70 cultivars and advanced selections at four different locations in South Carolina. Several of these have been evaluated since 2000 and the “top performers” over the last six seasons by ripening date (earliest to latest) include the following: `Sugar May', `Scarletpearl', `Snowbrite', `Southernpearl', `White Lady', `Sugar Lady', `Summer Sweet', `Sugar Giant', `Stark's Summer Pearl', `Snow King', and `Snow Giant'. In general, most of the white nectarines and the flat/donut peaches and nectarines have serious problems with insect damage and brown rot. Complete details of our peach and nectarine (yellow- and white-flesh) evaluation work in South Carolina since 2000 will be noted by referring to my peach website (http://www.clemson.edu/hort/Peach/index.php).

scholarly journals Estimating the annual distribution of monarch butterflies in Canada over 16 years using citizen science data

FACETS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 238-253
Author(s):  
D. T. Tyler Flockhart ◽  
Maxim Larrivée ◽  
Kathleen L. Prudic ◽  
D. Ryan Norris
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Danaus Plexippus ◽  
The United States ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Monarch Butterflies ◽  
Breeding Distribution

Monarch butterflies ( Danaus plexippus, Linnaeus, 1758) are comprised of two migratory populations separated by the Rocky Mountains and are renowned for their long-distance movements among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Both populations have declined over several decades across North America prompting all three countries to evaluate conservation efforts. Monitoring monarch distribution and abundance is a necessary aspect of ongoing management in Canada where they are a species at risk. We used presence-only data from two citizen science data sets to estimate the annual breeding distribution of monarch butterflies in Canada between 2000 and 2015. Monarch breeding distribution in Canada varied widely among years owing to natural variation, and when considering the upper 95% of the probability of occurrence, the annual mean breeding distribution in Canada was 484 943 km2 (min: 173 449 km2; max: 1 425 835 km2). The area of occurrence was approximately an order of magnitude larger in eastern Canada than in western Canada. Habitat restoration for monarch butterflies in Canada should prioritize productive habitats in southern Ontario where monarchs occur annually and, therefore, likely contribute most to the long-term viability of monarchs in eastern North America. Overall, our assessment sets the geographic context to develop successful management strategies for monarchs in Canada.

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