Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Mukhtar M. Ibrahim

Acres of prairie set aside to save butterfly species

Poweshiek skipperling reared in captivity
This Poweshiek skipperling butterfly was reared at the Minnesota Zoo's Prairie Butterfly Conservation Program.
Erik Runquist | Minnesota Zoo

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated tens of thousands of acres of critical habitat to try to save two prairie butterfly species.

The habitat areas where the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling are found have been declining for the past few years, according to federal wildlife officials. These prairie habitats, which are mostly located in the agricultural areas of the Dakotas and western Minnesota, are considered essential for the survival for these species.

On Wednesday, FWS announced that it designated about 20,000 acres of critical habitat in 38 units in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota for the Dakota skipper, and about 26,000 acres in 56 units in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin for the Poweshiek skipperling.

In 2014, the Dakota skipper was designated as a threatened species while the Poweshiek skipperling was designated as endangered species.

Female Dakota skipper butterfly
The Dakota skipper.
Erik Runquist | Minnesota Zoo

In Minnesota, the Dakota skipper is rare, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Poweshiek skipperling also is considered rare in the state, and like the skipper, was abundant at one time.

"Loss of prairie habitat is probably the most major factor for both of these species," said Georgia Parham, a public affairs specialist for the FWS. "The places that it can survive are just being converted to either land development or agriculture or other types of uses. It's basically a habitat problem."

Of the total areas that have been designated as critical habitat, about 12,000 acres are common to both species. According to FWS, designating an area as of critical habitat does not affect land ownership.

"That these butterflies have survived at all is because of the good stewardship of some of the region's landowners," FWS Midwest regional director Tom Melius said in a statement. "We will continue to work with these and other landowners to ensure the conservation of remnant prairie habitat and these prairie butterflies."