The endangered Mitchell's Satyr butterfly, image by Jim Mawk, US Forest Service, Brent, Ala
Mitchell's Satyr

An Endangered Butterfly Species
Found in the Oakmulgee National Forest


Article, images, and HTML coding by
Thomas H. Wilson, Ph.D.
Judson College, Marion, Alabama
Kelly Shipman, Paulette Haywood, Jeff Glassberg & Thomas Wilson in the Mitchell's Satyr habitat Jeff Glassberg leads the count participants through a marsh in search of the Mitchell's Satyr
The Judson College, Marion, Alabama, North American Butterfly Association chapter was formed in association with the NABA 4th of July butterfly count for 2001. Dr. Jeffrey Glassberg, President of NABA, conducted the first butterfly count for the chapter. The count was centered in the Oakmulgee Division of the Talladega National Forest.
Glassberg points out a possible Mitchell's Satyr butterfly to Jim Mawk and Emily Severson Barry Hart of TNC and Paulette Haywood search for a Mitchell's Satyr
Dr. Glassberg had located a Mitchell's Satyr individual in the Oakmulgee National Forest last summer and he returned to determine if a population of the endangered species of butterfly existed in the area. The search for the Mitchell's Satyr, Neonympha mitchellii, coincided with the formation of the Judson College Chapter of NABA and the Association's annual 4th of July butterfly count.
Paulette Haywood is close to a possible Mitchell's Satyr as Jeff Glassberg eases in for a closer inspection Forester Jim Mawk photographs a confirmed Mitchell's Satyr as Walt Kastenmayer and Lori Wilson observe the butterfly
The group counted 10 Mitchell's Satyrs in a marsh habitat that contained numerous sedges, brambles, and a small stream. The Mitchell's Satry has round to slightly oval eyespots below while the closely related Georgia Satyr has elongated eyespots.
Before discovering the Mitchell's Satyr in the Oakmulgee National Forest, this endangered butterfly was known only from small colonies in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and the New Jersey colony has been extirpated.
Thomas Wilson birding in the "Mitchell Lori Wilson prepares to cross a stream as Walt Kastenmayer wades deeper into the marsh
Dr. Jeffrey Glassberg photographing a butterfly in the Oakmulgee National Forest Zebra swallowtail photographed by Dr. Jeffrey Glassberg
Little Wood Satyr photo from NABA The butterfly count group spots another interesting butterfly
Nine individuals made up the first Judson College Chapter of NABA 4th of July butterfly count. Thirty-one species of butterflies were counted with one endangered species, Mitchell's Satyr, being on the list. The exact location of the Judson College, June 5th, 2001, NABA 4th of July Butterfly Count sighting of a group of endangered Mitchell's Satyrs was in compartment 12 of the Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area of the Talladega National Forest, in Bibb County, Alabama.

Some of the more interesting butterfly species were the Byssus Skipper, Harvester (whose caterpillars are carnivorous), Banded Hairstreak, and 310 Common Buckeyes.
Oakmulgee Division of Talladega National Forest...habitat of the Mitchell's Satyr
Oakmulgee Divison of the Talladega National Folrest...site of the Judson College NABA count
The great habitat diversity of the Oakmulgee Division of the Talladega National Forest in west central Alabama presents outstanding opportunities for birding, observing butterflies, identifying plants and for other outdoor activities. The Oakmulgee is home for two endangered species ... the Mitchell's Satyr butterfly and the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
The Oakmulgee National Forest along with the Cahaba River provide rewarding and exciting environmental studies and recreational adventures for students attending Judson College in Marion, Alabama.
   
 
©Judson College, 2001
 
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