\u3ci\u3eLycaeides Melissa Samuelis\u3c/i\u3e (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) Response to an Aggregation of \u3ci\u3eLytta Sayi\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Meloidae) on \u3ci\u3eLupinus Perennis\u3c/i\u3e (Fabaceae

Lycaeides melissa samuelis Nabokov, frequently called the Karner blue butterfly, is a Federally endangered species found in savanna/barren type ecosystems of New England and the Great Lakes region of North America. We observed sporadic and localized feeding aggregations of Lytta sayi LeConte (Coleoptera: Meloidae) on Lupinus perennis L. (Fabaceae) occupied by L. m. samuelis during the summers of 2000-2004, in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. In 2004, we quantified the phenology and behavior of an aggregation (\u3e 900 beetles) within a 1,020 m2 stand of lupine and measured its effect upon adult L. m. samuelis behavior. The L. sayi aggregation formed and dispersed within 11 days with three beetles observed on day one and a maximum of 951 beetles on day seven. By the eighth day of the aggregation, the beetles had consumed 100% of the lupine flowers, 2% of lupine seeds and no lupine leaves. In comparisons of L. m. samuelis activity before and during the beetle aggregation, L. m. samuelis males spent significantly less time perching on Potentilla simplex Michaux (Rosaceae) and more time flying during the beetle aggregation. L. m. samuelis females spent significantly less time under lupine leaves during the beetle aggregation. Distribution of L. m. samuelis larval feeding damage suggests adult females avoided ovipositing in areas containing large numbers of beetles

Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Inhabiting Stands of Reed Canary Grass Phalaris Arundinacea on Islands in the Lower Chippewa River, Wisconsin

We used pitfall traps to assess ground beetle diversity (Coleoptera:Carabidae) on two islands in the lower Chippewa River, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, with rapidly expanding populations of reed canary grass, Phalaris arundinaceae. We collected 233 individuals belonging to 17 species over four, 3-9 day sampling periods, May-August 1994. All species have been documented in Wisconsin and most are considered habitat generalists. Agonum fidele, A. extensicolle, Anisodactylus harrisii and Bembidion quadrimaculatum oppositum comprised 70% of all species collected. Seven species were common to both islands, with 13 species collected on Canarygrass Island and 11 species on Ski Jump Island. Carabid species diversity (Shannon’s H=2.01) was greatest on Canarygrass Island

\u3ci\u3eLycaeides Melissa Samuelis\u3c/i\u3e (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) Response to an Aggregation of \u3ci\u3eLytta Sayi\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Meloidae) on \u3ci\u3eLupinus Perennis\u3c/i\u3e (Fabaceae

Lycaeides melissa samuelis Nabokov, frequently called the Karner blue butterfly, is a Federally endangered species found in savanna/barren type ecosystems of New England and the Great Lakes region of North America. We observed sporadic and localized feeding aggregations of Lytta sayi LeConte (Coleoptera: Meloidae) on Lupinus perennis L. (Fabaceae) occupied by L. m. samuelis during the summers of 2000-2004, in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. In 2004, we quantified the phenology and behavior of an aggregation (\u3e 900 beetles) within a 1,020 m2 stand of lupine and measured its effect upon adult L. m. samuelis behavior. The L. sayi aggregation formed and dispersed within 11 days with three beetles observed on day one and a maximum of 951 beetles on day seven. By the eighth day of the aggregation, the beetles had consumed 100% of the lupine flowers, 2% of lupine seeds and no lupine leaves. In comparisons of L. m. samuelis activity before and during the beetle aggregation, L. m. samuelis males spent significantly less time perching on Potentilla simplex Michaux (Rosaceae) and more time flying during the beetle aggregation. L. m. samuelis females spent significantly less time under lupine leaves during the beetle aggregation. Distribution of L. m. samuelis larval feeding damage suggests adult females avoided ovipositing in areas containing large numbers of beetles

Human Dimensions of Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin

Color poster with text, charts, photographs, and maps.CWD is a disease caused by prions (an infectious protein particle similar to a virus). CWD can affect deer, elk, moose and reindeer. The first case of CWD in Wisconsin was discovered in 2002 and in Eau Claire County in 2018. Its arrival initiated the creation of the Chippewa Valley CWD Advisory Team (CVCAT). The CVCAT is made up of 7 members of the public that have prior knowledge of deer herd management and hunting practices. The goal of CVCAT is to provide the WDNR recommendations regarding local surveillance areas and methods, and management options for white-tailed deer potentially exposed to CWD. The objective of this study is to qualitatively assess the effectiveness of the CVCAT, i.e., assessing what the public thinks it wants and what the WDNR would like to see happen. The assessment includes interviewing and surveying four focal groups who have a stake in either deer hunting, and/or deer population management (CVCAT members; members of public who attend CVCAT meetings; WDNR employees working directly with CWD; and students/deer hunters in the UWEC Rod and Gun Club). Survey results will be summarized and analyzed to gauge local perceptions of CWD and the effectiveness of the CVAT. The data will then be potentially used by the WDNR as they face the challenge of working with the public to manage deer and this emerging infectious disease.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

Assessment of USDA Conservation Reserve ProgramState Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (CRP SAFE)

Color poster with text, maps, and graphsState Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) is one of many Conservation Reserve Programs (CRP) administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm State Agency (FSA). SAFE emphasizes conservation practices that will enhance and manage habitat to benefit threatened, endangered and other high-priority wildlife species. Eligible landowners voluntarily establish and maintain vegetation cover on their once highly erodible cropland for 10 or 15-year contracts. In turn, they receive annual rental payments from the FSA and cost-share for seeding, maintenance and technical assistance from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Several studies have analyzed the benefits of Farm Bill conservation programs for wildlife but this is the first study of its kind to evaluate the status, coverage and effectiveness of SAFE CRP in Wisconsin. Currently, there are more than 1 million acres enrolled in SAFE nationwide, with up to 13,750 acres distributed among five Wisconsin SAFES across 17 counties.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

A Geospatial View of Farmland for the Karner Blue

Color poster with text, images, photographs and graphs.In 2017, we conducted our project on farmlands enrolled in the USDA-NRCS State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program for the Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). In Eau Claire County, SAFE sites were developed to provide favorable habitat for the federally endangered butterfly. The sites were planted in 2009-2015 with a native seed mix (3.78 lbs./acre) of grasses and pollinator nectar plants, including wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) (3.0 oz./acre). Larvae of the Karner are dependent on wild lupine, and sites with the densest and most abundant patches of the flowering plant are most likely to attract, host and maintain Karner populations.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

A Novel Procedure to Process Ocean Whitefish, Caulolatilus princeps, Otoliths in the Galapagos Marine Reserve

Color poster with text, images, and graphs.Ocean Whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps) is an endemic species in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador and is important economically in both the artisanal fishery and as a local food source. However, little is known about its life history in this region. To discern age structure information in the fishery for bony fish such as C. princeps, it is common to determine the count of annual growth rings on the species’ otoliths, or ear bones. The goals of this study were 1) to identify the most repeatable and accurate method for aging C. princeps from the examination of adult otoliths, and 2) to characterize the age structure of fish caught in the fishery, in the Galapagos. Sagittal otoliths were collected from fish caught in artisanal fishing locations around Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador and processed and analyzed at the Charles Darwin Research Station Marine Sciences Department laboratory. Fish selected for processing were drawn randomly from a large population and were similar in size and range across all subsamples. Samples (n=49) of otoliths each received one of five different otolith preparation procedures in order to visually count growth bands. Otoliths contain alternating clear and opaque bands of growth. Age was estimated by two readers independently counting bands (2x) without knowledge of the sex or size of the fish.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

Geographic Search Tool for Taxonomic Records in the Galápagos Islands

Color poster with text, charts, and maps.The goal of this project was to create a geographic search tool to show where data was collected in the archipelago for the Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos, Ecuador. First, I efficiently updated about 28,000 records in the database by assigning coordinates to them using Structured Query Language (SQL) statements. The tool was then created allowing scientists to search the database using taxonomic family, genus, and species. This update and database tool empowers scientists to visualize the distribution of species on the islands, whether the species occupy the ocean, a rocky beach or the rainforest. The tool allows easy access to data as a result of a streamlined downloading process from the database. I used SQL statements along with common web development coding practices to accomplish the project. Currently, this search tool is in use only by scientists with security clearance due to the sensitive nature of the species data associated with Galapagos National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site. My hope is that this new data access tool will continue to facilitate research for species found nowhere else on earth.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

Winter Weight Gain or Breeding Activity Weight Loss : How Does Dark-Eyed Junco Weight Seasonally Differ?

Color poster with text, images, charts, maps, photographs and graphs.Dark-eyed Juncos of the Slate-colored subspecies (SCJU) are boreal migrants that over winter in lower latitudes, such as Wisconsin. In the spring, Juncos migrate to northern breeding grounds. The purpose of this research is to determine whether there is a weight difference between pre-breeding (March- May) and post-breeding (September- November) Juncos banded at Beaver Creek Reserve (BCR), Fall Creek, WI. Fat accumulates in the furculum on the birds and is visible to the naked eye. We used data collected from the Bird Banding Program (2007-2016).University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program