Hannah Mullally
Project Description
"Orange Sulphur butterflies, Colias eurytheme, acquire substantial amounts of pollen when visiting prairie flowers"
Relatively little is known about the importance of butterflies as pollinators. While undoubtedly less important than bees overall as significant pollinators, more knowledge is needed to assess the role of butterflies in the pollinator community. This study focused on pollen acquisition by the Orange Sulphur butterfly (Colias eurytheme) at Glacier Creek Preserve in Eastern Nebraska. Previous research suggested that Orange Sulphur butterflies are flower constant, a necessity for effective pollination. The goal of this research was to determine if flower-visiting butterflies actually pick up pollen and if the type of pollen picked up is consistent on individual and population levels. To do this, we measured and characterized the morphs of a total of 459 pollen grains collected from the proboscis and legs of 27 individual Orange Sulphur butterflies. The majority of pollen carried on most individual butterflies was of an echinate sphere morph, and of similar size. The majority of butterflies in the population carried the echinate sphere morph, also of similar size. These findings suggest that butterflies could be important pollinators in prairie ecosystems and should be taken into account in the management or restoration of prairies.
Relatively little is known about the importance of butterflies as pollinators. While undoubtedly less important than bees overall as significant pollinators, more knowledge is needed to assess the role of butterflies in the pollinator community. This study focused on pollen acquisition by the Orange Sulphur butterfly (Colias eurytheme) at Glacier Creek Preserve in Eastern Nebraska. Previous research suggested that Orange Sulphur butterflies are flower constant, a necessity for effective pollination. The goal of this research was to determine if flower-visiting butterflies actually pick up pollen and if the type of pollen picked up is consistent on individual and population levels. To do this, we measured and characterized the morphs of a total of 459 pollen grains collected from the proboscis and legs of 27 individual Orange Sulphur butterflies. The majority of pollen carried on most individual butterflies was of an echinate sphere morph, and of similar size. The majority of butterflies in the population carried the echinate sphere morph, also of similar size. These findings suggest that butterflies could be important pollinators in prairie ecosystems and should be taken into account in the management or restoration of prairies.
Presentations
2015
Creighton University Environmental Science Senior Seminar
2016
Nebraska Academy of Sciences
Creighton University Research Day
Creighton Biology Department Research Colloquium
Creighton University Environmental Science Senior Seminar
2016
Nebraska Academy of Sciences
Creighton University Research Day
Creighton Biology Department Research Colloquium