Deutschman Lab Projects
The Quino Checkerspot Butterfly is a federally listed endangered species which was historically found in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and grassland communities within southern California and northern Baja California. The current distribution is restricted to western Riverside County and San Diego County, due to habitat loss and habitat degradation. Annual adult populations can experience large fluctuations. This larvae feed on dot-seed plantain (Plantago erecta), wooly plantain (Plantago patagonica), white snap dragon (Antirrhinum coulterianum), thread-leaved bird's beak (Cordylanthus rigidus), purple owl's clover (Castilleja exserta), and southern Chinese houses (Collinsia concolor). It is thought that the Quino Checkerspot exhibits metapopulation dynamics because of data from the well studied Bay Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis). However, these types of studies have not occurred in southern California. Biologists have observed only a small number of Quino Checkerspot individuals over the last several years.
We will be conducting surveys to map larval food plants in southern San Diego County. Subsequent surveys will be conducted for larvae and/or adults to determine to determine occupancy of these habitat patches. This is a first step into mapping and modeling metapopulation dynamics so that management efforts can be directed to a prioritized list of sites.
Research Tasks
1. Map larval food plants on conserved preserves
2. Utilize larval surveys (supplemented by adult surveys) to determine patch occupancy
Lead Biologist: Daniel Marschalek
This project is funded by a grant from San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).
Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) Habitat Assessment and Metapopulation Modeling
