Illinois Wildlife Q&A Video: The Regal Fritillary

by Kathy Andrews Wright | August 2, 2021 | Wildlife

A brown, white, and orange, butterfly nectars on a cluster of pink and white flowers of a milkweed plant. In the background are tall grasses.

Photo by Michael R. Jeffords.

Film Date:

June & July, 2021

Speakers:

Michelle Simone, Stewardship Specialist, Eric Smith, District Heritage Biologist and Joe Kath, Endangered Species Program Manager, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Produced by:

Kathy Andrews Wright, Rick Wright and Laura Kammin

Edited by:

Sarah Marjanovic

Questions received in advance of the conversation are listed below, with the time noted should you desire to fast-forward to a topic of interest.

0:12 Introduction of Michelle Simone, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Stewardship Specialist

0:35 Background on the state-threatened regal fritillary

01:35 Regal fritillary life cycle

02:57 Tips to differentiate male and female regal fritillaries

03:28 Population survey process

04:38 Habitat enhancement techniques

06:10 Introduction of Eric Smith, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Biologist

06:48 Funding for the regal fritillary habitat enhancement and population monitoring efforts

08:39 Regal fritillary look-alikes

08:49 Introduction of Joe Kath, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Endangered Species Project Manager

09:34 Regal fritillary undergoing USFWS review for consideration as a federally listed species

11:34 The Species Status Assessment process

12:12 Regal fritillary range map

If you are interested in viewing the text alternative for the video click the CC option at the lower margin of the video.

Kathy Andrews Wright retired from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources where she was editor of OutdoorIllinois magazine. She is currently the editor of OutdoorIllinois Journal.