The small, yet charming, frosted elfin butterfly can be seen performing dramatic flights once per year before the next generation nestles beneath the leaf litter to emerge the following spring. The species has unfortunately suffered massive declines across its range and is petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
Everything from its size, coloration, and lifestyle make the frosted elfin a difficult species to find. Even their host plant, sundial lupine is only visible above ground for half the year.
The Frosted Elfin is another of Florid butterflies that’s dependent on fire to maintain its pineland and sandhill habitat. Females lay their eggs only on sundial lupine
Sundial Lupine is among the host plants for the endangered Frosted Elfin butterfly.
Biologists are eager to help, but searching across all of North Florida is a tall order for a critter on a tight schedule. There are simply too many places to look and not enough time to do it in a year.
This is why we need YOUR help.
Biologists from around the state, including those with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tall Timbers, and the University of Florida, have teamed up to create a citizen science project to help track down the elusive duo— frosted elfins and their sundial lupine.
Photographing and uploading frosted elfins or sundial lupine to the iNaturalist project will help biologists find the few remaining places in Florida where they occur.
This will aid greatly in conservation efforts to ensure the survival and expansion of an important native species.
To get started, check out the brochure created by Tall Timbers staff Karen Cummins below and visit the iNaturalist project here.
A massive effort is needed to help our miniscule Florida native, and your contribution is most appreciated.
See the Frosted Elfin citizen science survey brochure here
