Article
Ecology
Leslie E. Decker, Christopher S. Jeffrey, Kaitlin M. Ochsenrider, Abigail S. Potts, Jacobus C. de Roode, Angela M. Smilanich, Mark D. Hunter
Summary: Animals rely on a balance of endogenous and exogenous sources of immunity to mitigate parasite attack, which is increasingly urgent to understand under rapid environmental change. In herbivores, immunity is influenced by environmental conditions, such as the consumption of plants with toxic steroids providing external immunity. Changes in milkweed phytochemistry induced by elevated CO2 alter the balance between exogenous and endogenous immunity sources, potentially leading to a shift in immune function under future atmospheric conditions.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Cecilia A. Sanchez, Isabella G. Ragonese, Jacobus C. de Roode, Sonia Altizer
Summary: This study examined the environmental persistence and thermal tolerance of a debilitating protozoan parasite that infects monarch butterflies. The findings show that warmer temperatures decrease parasite viability over time, different parasite genotypes exhibit variability in thermal tolerance, and there is no clear relationship between environmental persistence and within-host replication. The study also found that dormant spores can survive for many months under cooler conditions, but heat dramatically shortens the window of transmission for this butterfly parasite.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ania A. Majewska, Andrew K. Davis, Sonia Altizer, Jacobus C. de Roode
Summary: Insect-pathogen dynamics in migratory monarch butterflies show variations influenced by insect abundance, climate, and parasite dynamics. OE infection in monarchs has negative effects on survival and flight performance. The infection prevalence and trends differ between eastern and western North American monarchs and are influenced by host breeding density. The migration process involves migratory culling of infected butterflies. OE infection poses a threat to the monarch population, and the role of human practices needs further examination.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Philip J. Lester, Mariana Bulgarella
Summary: The study investigated the latitudinal variation in monarch butterfly parasitism and wing deformities in New Zealand, revealing opposite latitudinal trends for parasite prevalence and wing deformities. The findings suggest that cold temperatures may independently affect parasite and butterfly development, with lower temperatures leading to wing deformities in butterflies. Environmental factors seem to influence insect populations through different pathways, with the prevalence of parasite infections impacting butterfly fitness in warmer regions and cold conditions causing fitness costs such as deformed wings at higher latitudes. Monarch butterflies may perform better in regions with optimal temperature conditions for both the butterflies and parasites.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Mitchell J. Kendzel, Sonia M. Altizer, Jacobus C. de Roode
Summary: In many species, migration can either increase or reduce parasite prevalence depending on migratory culling and dropout. The relationship between migration and infectious disease in monarch butterflies has been investigated, and it was found that migration can decrease parasite prevalence resulting in the loss of millions of monarchs. The remaining questions highlight the influence of migration on genetics, the interference of resident populations with migration, and the impact of infection on migratory cognition.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Felipe Dargent, Sydney M. Gilmour, Emma A. Brown, Rees Kassen, Heather M. Kharouba
Summary: The study found extremely low levels of OE infection at the northern edge of the eastern monarch butterfly population distribution around Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, likely due to low monarch densities in the region and migratory escape effects which reduce the potential for parasite accumulation and transmission in areas with high conspecific density. Future research should focus on determining the relative contribution of these two mechanisms in governing the decrease in parasitism at the range limits of migratory populations.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Erin R. Zylstra, Naresh Neupane, Elise F. Zipkin
Summary: Climate change poses a unique threat to migratory species, leading to decreases in monarch butterfly abundance and shifts in their distribution. Improved precision of short-term forecasts can be achieved through targeted data collection.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
David G. James, Linda Kappen
Summary: The study focused on the migration of monarch butterflies in the Pacific Northwest, revealing that most migrate to coastal California for wintering, while some from eastern Washington and Idaho may have alternative winter destinations. The research also showed that monarchs affected by wildfire smoke and protozoan parasite infection can still successfully migrate.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alana A. E. Wilcox, Amy E. M. Newman, Nigel E. Raine, Greg W. Mitchell, D. Ryan Norris
Summary: Research indicates that captive-reared monarch butterflies may experience temporary disorientation, but proper orientation is likely to be established after exposure to natural skylight cues.
CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Naresh Neupane, Elise F. Zipkin, Sarah P. Saunders, Leslie Ries
Summary: Predicting species' responses to future climate conditions is crucial for conservation and policy-making. This study used multiple global climate models to project the population fluctuations of the monarch butterfly and found differences between trimmed and complete ensembles, with the trimmed ensemble providing more useful information.
Article
Ecology
Megan S. Reich, D. T. Tyler Flockhart, D. Ryan Norris, Lihai Hu, Clement P. Bataille
Summary: The study introduces a detailed framework for tracking migratory animals using strontium isotope ratios, specifically focusing on the eastern North American population of monarch butterflies. The results demonstrate the significant improvement in precision of isotope-based geographic assignment with the use of Sr-87/Sr-86, and combining it with δ2H provides the most constrained area of natal origin. The framework provided can enhance the study of migration and dispersal in various animals.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ayse Tenger-Trolander, Cole R. Julick, Wei Lu, Delbert Andre Green, Kristi L. Montooth, Marcus R. Kronforst
Summary: Environmental heterogeneity in temperate latitudes maintains plastic life-history strategies, but it is unclear if this plasticity is maintained in species that have expanded into tropical latitudes.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Misty Stevenson, Kalynn L. Hudman, Alyx Scott, Kelsey Contreras, Jeffrey G. Kopachena
Summary: The study revealed that first generation monarch survival was high in a complex arthropod community in north Texas, with survival being influenced by the presence of a greater number and variety of non-predatory arthropods on host plants. This suggests that monarch conservation efforts should focus on promoting diverse functional arthropod communities.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Danielle. M. M. Ethier, Greg. W. W. Mitchell
Summary: The study investigated the long-term trends in fall migration phenology of monarch butterflies in Ontario, Canada and the local long-term trends in weather covariates. The results showed that monarch migration timing and weather covariates have been consistent over time, contradicting a similar study in Cape May, New Jersey.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Christen Steele, Isabella G. Ragonese, Ania A. Majewska
Summary: Since the 1960s, scientists have observed the winter breeding behavior of North American monarch butterflies, particularly in areas with non-native milkweed plants. Warmer climates and the presence of milkweed plants and suitable temperatures for immature monarch development are key factors contributing to this behavior. The implications of winter breeding differ in the eastern and western regions due to differences in migration ecology, milkweed species, and climate changes.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tuula Kantola, James L. Tracy, Kristen A. Baum, Michael A. Quinn, Robert N. Coulson
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
James L. Tracy, Tuula Kantola, Kristen A. Baum, Robert N. Coulson
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Justin R. Dee, Kristen A. Baum
AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Alison B. Cariveau, Holly L. Holt, James P. Ward, Laura Lukens, Kyle Kasten, Jennifer Thieme, Wendy Caldwell, Karen Tuerk, Kristen A. Baum, Pauline Drobney, Ryan G. Drum, Ralph Grundel, Keith Hamilton, Cindy Hoang, Karen Kinkead, Julie McIntyre, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Tenlea Turner, Emily L. Weiser, Karen Oberhauser
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Book Review
Ecology
Kristen A. Baum
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Saenz, Kristen A. Baum, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Christopher M. Schalk
Article
Entomology
Emily A. Geest, Kristen A. Baum
Summary: Five closely related species of greater fritillaries occur in North America east of the Mississippi River, with varying responses to climate and environmental variables. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the different climate and habitat needs of butterfly species for predicting their responses to climate change, as well as the value of citizen science and photo sharing websites in providing data for species distribution evaluations.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah DePaolo Elzay, Kristen A. Baum
Summary: Declines in wild bee populations can have negative impacts on ecosystems and food security. Understanding how wild bees forage within agricultural landscapes is crucial for developing effective pollinator conservation strategies. This study found correlations between body size, distance into canola fields, and seed set, as well as the influence of landscape characteristics on body size of different wild bee species.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Entomology
K. L. Giles, N. C. Elliott, H. E. Butler, K. A. Baum, G. F. Backoulou
Summary: The study found that the parasitoid Aphelinus nigritus, which increased in abundance after the invasion of sugarcane aphids, was relatively abundant in winter wheat fields in the fall of 2016 but decreased in abundance over time. These results suggest that the abundance of A. nigritus is related to sugarcane aphids in the region, and their temporary presence in winter crops reflects landscape-level dynamics.
SOUTHWESTERN ENTOMOLOGIST
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James L. Tracy, Tuula Kantola, Kristen A. Baum, Robert N. Coulson
Summary: This study provides important information for the conservation of migratory monarch butterflies in the South Central US by analyzing the host selectivity, phenology, and spatial density of monarch larvae, as well as the distribution and selectivity of important milkweed hosts. The results highlight the importance of seasonal milkweed resource areas and host selectivity for the conservation and migration of monarch butterflies.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emily A. Geest, Ray A. Moranz, Kristen A. Baum
Summary: Grassland butterflies are declining globally due to habitat loss. Rangelands in the Southern Great Plains can provide a habitat for them depending on management practices. Patch-burn grazing creates a mosaic of successional vegetation stages that can benefit different butterfly species.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Emily A. Geest, David D. Berman, Kristen A. Baum
Summary: Researchers investigated the impact of the invasive species fire ants on butterfly communities, and found that fire ants may negatively affect butterfly populations and have differential effects on certain species. Further research is needed to understand the effects of fire ants on butterflies and the overall pollinator community, as well as the effectiveness of pan traps for surveying Lepidoptera.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Abby Shalekbriski, Eric A. Devuyst, Kirsten A. Baum, Kristopher L. Giles
Summary: In the central and southern Great Plains of the US, canola is a winter annual crop pollinated by insects such as native bees and honeybees. However, canola faces multiple insect pests, leading to the use of insecticides which can harm pollinators. This study investigates the economic impact of native and introduced bees along with selective and broad-spectrum insecticides on canola production in Oklahoma, identifying the breakeven yield needed to support pollinator habitat conservation.
COGENT FOOD & AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emily A. Geest, Kristen A. Baum
Summary: Grassland insect pollinators have been affected by population declines due to habitat loss and degradation. This study examines the impact of patch-burning, a management method used to control woody plant growth in grasslands, on the quality and quantity of floral resources available to insect pollinators. The researchers found that the time and season of fire can significantly influence the nectar quality and quantity for different plant species, highlighting the importance of understanding the overall impact of fire on insect pollinator communities.
AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Norman C. Elliott, Kristopher L. Giles, Kristen A. Baum, Sarah D. Elzay
Summary: The study found that in winter wheat fields in Oklahoma, adult Lysiphlebus testaceipes and Aphelinus nigritus were the most common and abundant parasitoids, while larval coccinellids and spiders were the main arthropod predators. The abundance of most species increased from November to March, and natural enemies showed an aggregative and/or reproductive numerical response to aphid populations.
SOUTHWESTERN ENTOMOLOGIST
(2021)