Courtesy Photo

Though there is something almost magical about crossing paths with a butterfly, most people stop to enjoy the sight without giving the encounter much thought. Unfortunately, the long-term existence of several butterfly species isn’t a given – but the DNR and partners are working to turn the tide in their favor, and good news for two of the state’s tiniest butterflies means good things for the bigger habitat picture, too.

The Michigan Wildlife Action Plan serves as a strategic blueprint for conserving the state’s native wildlife and the habitats they depend on. Central to the plan is the identification of Species of Greatest Conservation Need – wildlife facing significant threats to their survival. Among these are two critically endangered butterflies: the Poweshiek skipperling and Mitchell’s satyr. In Michigan, both species are now limited to a few remaining prairie fens, ecosystems vital to their life cycles.

“The state Wildlife Action Plan helps us focus our conservation efforts where they matter most,” said Tony Henehan, the DNR’s coordinator of that plan. “By identifying species at greatest risk – like the Poweshiek skipperling and Mitchell’s satyr – we’re able to prioritize resources and partnerships that give these species a fighting chance.”

The powerful prairie fen

Once common across the Midwest, the Poweshiek skipperling is now found only in a few prairie fens in Michigan and Manitoba, having disappeared from the rest of its historical range. This species depends on the presence of prairie dropseed and black-eyed Susan, which serve as host and nectar plants. Prairie fens – wetland ecosystems fed by mineral-rich groundwater – support a unique array of plant and animal life, making them essential to the survival of specialized species like the skipperling.

Similarly, Mitchell’s satyr (shown here) is restricted to a handful of prairie fens in Michigan, and considered extirpated, or no longer existing in former habitats in states including Indiana, Ohio and New Jersey. Unlike the skipperling, the satyr favors more shaded areas and doesn’t rely on nectar. Its caterpillars feed primarily on grasslike sedges, particularly Carex stricta. Both species continue to decline, highlighting the urgent need for targeted conservation of prairie fens and their biodiversity.

“The prairie fen is a hidden gem of biodiversity,” said Dave Pavlik, research assistant with the Haddad Lab at Michigan State University. “When we protect these habitats, we’re not just saving one species, we are preserving entire ecosystems that many rare plants and animals rely on.”

Signs of life

Over the last decade, the DNR has worked with a growing network of partners to conserve these imperiled species. One such partner, the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, has been breeding and rearing both butterflies for release in the wild. When the population levels of a species become too low, that species becomes more vulnerable to environmental events such as severe weather or disease and may not be able to recover on its own. Adding individuals to these small populations can help in population growth and recovery.

In collaboration with the Haddad Lab, the John Ball Zoo began captive rearing and breeding Poweshiek skipperlings in 2021. Because populations were dangerously low in the wild, this “insurance” population was vital to recovery plans and management. The insurance population also provides hope for the butterflies’ future in the face of extinction in the wild.

Starting with 32 butterflies in 2021, the John Ball Zoo has bred over 100 pairs of Poweshiek skipperlings and helped release thousands of butterflies into the wild. Last year, these efforts resulted in the first-ever reintroduction of Poweshiek skipperlings at a site where they’d once thrived in Michigan. Populations have started to show positive signs of continued growth since 2022, an indication that this species can be brought back from the brink of extinction.

“To see a butterfly once feared extinct take flight again in its native habitat is incredibly moving,” said Bill Flanagan (shown here), conservation manager at John Ball Zoo. “It’s a reminder that recovery is possible when we work together.”

Numbers don’t lie

In 2023, the zoo and the Haddad Lab expanded their work to include Mitchell’s satyr rearing. Though challenging to breed in captivity, recent husbandry breakthroughs have made it possible. In 2024, 44 Mitchell’s satyrs were released into the wild, and more than 100 are expected to follow in 2025. These early successes have paved the way for scaled-up releases and potential reintroductions that could help stabilize the species in the near future.

Together, these efforts offer hope that even species on the edge of extinction can recover – if we continue to invest in science, partnerships and the protection of vital habitats like prairie fens.

This story was written by the DNR’s Tony Henehan and the Haddad Lab’s Dave Pavlik.