BC PARKS LIVING LAB PROGRAM FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONSERVATION

Building Climate Resilient
Butterfly Habitat, Yr.1

Selkirk Innovates gratefully acknowledges the support of the BC Parks Living Lab Program.
Lead Researcher: Brenda Beckwith
Additional Research Team: Janice Arndt (Lepidoptera), Valerie Huff (Restoration Botany)
Cover Photo: Janice Arndt. Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) on spreading dogbane
(Apocynum androsaemifolium).

March 8, 2022

Living Lab Program for Climate Change
and Conservation - Final Report
Project Title: Building Climate Resilient Butterfly Habitat, Yr.1
Lead Researcher(s): Brenda Beckwith
Additional Research Team: Janice Arndt (Lepidoptera), Valerie Huff (Restoration Botany)

Research Findings
Butterflies
Fifteen formal transects were established at Beaver Creek Provincial Park, 16 transects at
Charbonneau Creek Conservation Area, and 5 transects at Syringa Provincial Park, reflecting the
different sizes of the three research sites. A modified survey was conducted at the Syringa
Interpretive Site (explained in Methods, below).
Forty-nine butterfly species were identified, including two listed species: Silver-spotted Skipper
(Epargyreus clarus - S3) and Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta laudia - S3N) (Appendix A). A total of
141 nectaring observations were recorded; namely butterflies used asters (Symphyotrichum spp. 45%), spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium - 16%), and brown-eyed Susan (Gaillardia
aristata – 11%) (Appendix B). Eleven observations of oviposition behaviour were recorded, including
two at Syringa, four at Beaver Creek, and three at Charbonneau Creek. Butterflies oviposit on both
native (Pinus sp., Ceanothus velutinus, Lupinus sericeus) and non-native species (Vicia sp., Rumex
acetosella) (Appendix B).
In terms of community similarity for butterflies among the three research sites, Beaver Creek and
Syringa were most similar, showing high species overlap (n = 20). Beaver Creek and Charbonneau
Creek recorded the least overlap in butterfly species (n = 16). Twenty-five percent (n = 13) of the
species were observed at all sites.
An estimation of butterfly species richness showed that observed species were underrepresented at
all sites. At Beaver Creek, 49 species are estimated (actual = 32) and 62 species are estimated to be
detected at both Syringa (actual = 30) and Charbonneau Creek (actual = 31). Although this is a
normal result in ecological studies, the lower-than-expected species richness could also have been
caused by an unusually hot and smoky summer season, and the reduced number of field days as a
result.
Botany
One hundred and sixty plant species were identified in the three research sites and, of these, 68% (n
= 109) are native plants (Appendices C, D). The listed Pursh’s wallflower (Erysimum capitatum - S3),
recorded at the Charbonneau Creek site in the Pend d’Oreille Valley, is only known from this part of
British Columbia.
Community similarity for plants showed that Syringa and Charbonneau Creek share the greatest
overlap in species (n = 38); whereas, as with the butterfly community similarity analysis, the least
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number of species in common occurred between Beaver Creek and Charbonneau Creek (n = 27). A
total of 72 plant species were surveyed at Syringa, 74 at Beaver Creek, and 91 at Charbonneau
Creek.
Regarding flowering phenology - the timing of sexual reproduction and corresponding availability of
nectar resources - most plant species at all sites experienced peak flowering during the months of
June and July. Flowering, in general, appears to readily diminish after August, however, our surveys
did not continue after this time (Appendices C, D).
When plant community similarity results are integrated with phenology data from each site, some
interesting information appears. At Charbonneau Creek, there are 49 plant species that are
common to this site and at least one other site. There are an additional 49 species that were only
recorded and tracked at Charbonneau Creek, demonstrating the high species diversity known to the
site specifically, and the Pend d’Oreille Valley, in general. Some notable plants that occur at this site
are the species that favour hot and dry environmental conditions, such as lemonweed
(Lithospermum ruderale), silverleaf phacelia (Phacelia hastata), showy milkweed (Asclepias
speciosa), and parsnip-flowered buckwheat (Eriogonum heracleoides). All these species are summer
bloomers that are key nectar and host plants for butterflies, and important floral resources for
native pollinators generally (Appendix D).
In comparison to our reference site, Charbonneau Creek, different trends are apparent at Syringa
and Beaver Creek. Syringa has the most in-common plant species (n = 54) and the least number of
species (n = 18) that are unique to the site. Of note, the species that stand out at Syringa are the
native bloomers of early emerging meadows (April-May); for example, few-flowered shootingstar
(Dodecatheon pulchellum), upland larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum), and meadow death-camas
(Toxicoscordium venenosum) (Appendix D). Beaver Creek has 41 plant species in common with one
or both of the other sites and 33 species only recorded at that site. Because this site is closest to a
river and includes riparian and nearshore plant communities, the notable species at this site include
plants that prefer moister soil conditions. These species are late summer bloomers that are vital
nectar resources for late season butterflies and include golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) and two
asters, boreal (Symphyotrichum boreale) and Douglas’ (Symphyotrichum subspicatum). Finally,
because this site is also a popular hiking and dog walking locale, Beaver Creek is also host to several
non-native species, such as hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe),
common St. John’s wort, (Hypericum perforatum), and oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
(Appendix D).
Syringa Interpretive Site
A concept design was created, and initial site preparation occurred at the Syringa Interpretive Site in
the fall 2021. A portion of the site was planted with rhizomes of showy milkweed (Asclepias
speciosa) and this area, as well as an adjacent space, were sowed with locally collected native plant
seed (Clarkia pulchella, C. rhomboidea, Collomia grandiflora, Phacelia hastata). The reminder of the
site was covered with black plastic to prevent the regrowth of weedy plants (Appendix E).

Methods Summary
All research sites were previously selected as part of an umbrella project called the Pollination
Pathway Climate Adaptation Initiative, a program of the Kootenay Native Plant Society as part of the
Columbia Basin Trust Ecosystems Enhancement Program. The sites are known to support
herbaceous plant (non-forested) communities and native pollinators including butterflies, moths,
and skippers. The main research sites for the Building Butterfly Habitat project are located at

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Syringa and Beaver Creek provincial parks, with an additional reference site at the Charbonneau
Creek Conservation Area in the Pend d’Oreille Valley. An interpretive site was selected at Syringa
Park, at which only site preparation occurred in 2021.
Due to hazardous air quality (i.e. wildfire smoke) over several weeks in the summer, only seven of
the proposed eight survey days were completed for each site, occurring from April 14 to September
2. The sites were visited every two weeks, as weather and schedules allowed, in the spring, and
approximately every three weeks after June.
For the butterfly surveys, observations of butterflies were recorded in timed transects (Pollard
Walk). Special attention was made to species-at-risk. A Pollard Walk is a standard butterfly survey
method during which a surveyor records butterfly species and individuals observed within a 5 x 5 x 5
m cube, or 2.5 m on the left, 2.5 m on the right, 5 m ahead, and 5 m above along a transect. The
total transect length is 100 m and it is walked over 10 minutes. The transects are permanent; GPS
coordinates were taken for each Pollard Walk so the transects could be repeated on subsequent
survey days. Butterfly surveys occurred only on relatively calm days that were mostly sunny and
warm, starting usually at 10:00 am. In addition to the formal surveys, butterflies were also recorded
outside the transects (incidental observations) and before/after each survey (checklist surveys) to
capture additional information about butterfly presence and nectaring behaviour.
A modified transect at the Syringa Interpretive Site involved walking around the roundabout for 10
minutes, counting all butterflies observed within the circle, up to 5 m (maintaining a cube of the
same size). This approach was standardized for each visit; therefore, results are comparable over
time within the interpretive site itself.
Phenology observations of insect-pollinated flowering plants occurred over similar transects.
Extended General BBCH-scale phenology codes (Hack et al. 1992) were used to track plant
development by species throughout the summer. Because different individuals of a species can
appear at different phenological stages within the same ecosystem, often an averaged code was
recorded for each transect to best represent the developmental status of the population at the time
of the survey. Only plants with known floral resources for butterflies were included in the survey.
A Pale Tiger Swallowtail survey was completed by Mitacs student summer intern, Josh Fogal, using
the same and similar butterfly surveys (Appendix F).

Key Outcomes for BC Parks
There is high plant, butterfly, and non-forest ecosystem diversity in the West Kootenay, including
within both Syringa and Beaver Creek parks. Based on observations this year, plants responded to
severe heat and drought, and possibly weeks of wildfire smoke, by shortening maturation periods:
aborting growth, including flowering; producing low to no seed set; and undergoing rapid
senescence. These are all important considerations as we begin to look more closely at the role of
climate change within these ecosystems.
For nectaring, butterflies rely on:
•
•

non-native weeds in the spring, especially annual mustards; for example, pale alyssum
(Alyssum alyssoides), mouse-ear [Arabidopsis thaliana], and common draba (Draba verna);
spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) and plants in the Sunflower Family
(Asteraceae), specifically fleabanes (Erigeron spp.) and asters (Symphyotrichum spp. and
other aster genera); and

Building Butterfly Habitat Yr.1

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•

shrubs, for example saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi),
oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), and black raspberry (Rubus leucodermis).

Thirty-two percent of all the species recorded on all research sites were non-native and many of
these play a key role in providing food for native butterflies presently. The removal of non-native
species within parks should only proceed with a clear plan for replanting immediately with
complementary native species to continue to attract and support butterflies and other native
pollinators. Some of the weedy annuals that support butterflies in the spring should not be
considered for removal as they quickly die off as the season becomes warmer and drier and provide
valuable food resources for early emerging butterflies. These species are not a management
concern and there are no known native alternatives that can readily replace them.

Relevance to BC Parks Management
As there is currently no active management that occurs on our research sites, the best approach,
currently, is to continue as is. This was the first year of our study and we have baseline information
that we can build upon. As we move forward in 2022, we will be creating restoration plots within
the research sites that will be seeded to meet plant-butterfly association targets. Climate research
and seed sourcing analysis, as part of “Pollination Pathway,” will help inform seeding/planting
prescriptions within both the research and interpretive sites.
We will be able to provide BC Parks with a planting plan, a list of target plant species, and
recommendations for supporting plant-butterfly interactions in subsequent years.

Project’s Challenges/Opportunities
The main challenge in 2021 was poor air quality. As wildfires, and resulting smoke, will likely
continue to be an issue in the summer in British Columbia, getting into the field to conduct surveys
could be limited. As previously mentioned, it is likely the intense heat and drought conditions over
the summer likely led to changes in plant growth and development and may have affected
butterflies as well.
Butterfly surveys need to occur during calm days that are sunny and warm, so we often didn’t know
if we were in the field until the day before. Fortunately, we were able to remain flexible and
coordinate our calendars, so the surveys occurred on schedule, as much as possible.
It is difficult to determine if our strategy of sampling every 2-3 weeks was sufficient to capture the
diversity and variability within and among our research sites. We lost some information with the
poor air quality and cancelled field days. Although we managed to complete seven of the proposed
eight field days, it would have been beneficial to start surveys earlier in the spring and continue into
the fall. For example, we observed the importance of willow (Salix spp.) at Beaver Creek during our
first survey at the site. Willows bloom in the late winter/early spring and are likely critical food
resources for butterflies when herbaceous species have yet to emerge from the ground. Similarly,
during our last field visit at Beaver Creek, we noticed the high popularity of late-season asters with
butterflies. These are some of the only plant species flowering at this time.
There were also some challenges associated with the phenology surveys. The codes denote one
stage of sexual development with the assumption that the entire individual, as well as the
population, fit well with the stage. For example, the code 59 represents the stage “first flower
petals visible (in petaled form) and code 71 represents “fruits begin to develop.” We found that it is
difficult to pin a single code on many plants, especially longer-lived species such as some perennials

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and shrubs. A species may have 10% of the flowers open (code 61) and have flower buds visible
(code 51). Similarly, a species may have open flowers (code 65) and have fruits developing (code
71). In these cases, it was important to calibrate oneself and to use the same logic for code naming
throughout the survey. Although, we had others (student interns) help with the phenology surveys,
only the Botany Lead contributed to the official record to maintain consistency.
Studying the phenology of plant species, especially those that have long seasonal maturation rates,
revealed some interesting phenomena. For example, at Syringa, smooth aster (Symphyotrichum
laeve) remained in a vegetative growth form without obvious development of a flowering stalk (code
49) from May to July. A code of 51 (“inflorescence or flower buds visible”) was recorded for this
species on July 10 and a 61 (“10% of the flowers open”) was finally recorded on August 31.
Moreover, the seemingly large phenological gaps between some of the codes required a slight
modification of the coding convention for some of the shrub species. At Beaver Creek, for instance,
choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) remained at code 71 (“fruits begin to develop”) for several weeks
before the next code, 79 (“nearly all fruits have reached final size normal for the species and
location”), was recorded. In this case, the second time the code of 71 was recorded it was modified
as “71+” to indicate that it was still best choice as fruit development was still occurring.
The main lessons learned, or insights, that resulted from our first year of the Building Butterfly
Habitat project all are related to the environmental conditions over the summer 2021. Although
the summer heat was, at times, sweltering, and the wildfire smoke limited our field days, these
conditions also provided some insights into how extreme climate could affect both the behaviour of
butterflies and the phenology of plant species. We learned that spreading dogbane, a species that
was not on our radar previously, is a butterfly magnet and a very important nectar source for a wide
range of insect species. Even though this species showed reduced flowering in droughty upslope
locations, it continued to flower and provide food resources for butterflies for over a month lower
on slopes during a very hot summer. Finally, despite the extreme weather conditions, both
butterflies and plants demonstrated remarkable resilience and tenacity.

Conclusions/Next Steps
We were pleased with the results of the first year of our study and now have a good foundation of
baseline data. The recording of 49 butterfly species and 160 plant species in our three research sites
supports the West Kootenay as a region of high plant, butterfly, and non-forest ecosystem diversity.
The three sites, Syringa, Beaver Creek, and Charbonneau Creek, show overlap in both butterfly and
plant species and clear differences that allude to their ecological uniqueness and high connectivity
value when taking a landscape approach to this research.
As we begin to consider enhancement efforts in the second year of the study, there are three main
considerations for target plant species. First, at present, some weedy species are important nectar
and ovipositing plants for native butterflies and additional research will help determine appropriate
native equivalents. Second, plant species appeared to respond to the adverse summer
environmental conditions by altering development; changes that could negatively affect butterfly
populations by limiting important nectar sources. These results from our study to date, along with
climate forecasting research, will help us determine if there are either hardier species or species
from drier locales that should be considered for planting. Finally, target species will be informed by
a comprehensive review of butterfly host plants based on 2021 findings to ensure that appropriate
species are present on the sites to support butterfly reproduction.
In the next two years of the research study, we’ll maintain butterfly and phenology surveys every 2-3
weeks. Plant communities will be surveyed for plant abundance (cover) and floral density as well.
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Data from these surveys, as well as climate research, will inform the prescriptions within restoration
plots within the Syringa and Beaver Creek research sites. These plots will be seeded to meet plantbutterfly association targets. Host and nectar plants that were established by seeding/planting will
be monitored for use by target butterflies. Site management activities may occur, based on
monitoring results and in accordance with provincial park objectives.
For the Syringa Interpretive Site, site prep will continue in spring/summer 2022. Future meadow
community areas will be solarized, and sheet mulch will be applied to the flowering shrub areas.
These areas will be seeded and planted in the fall 2022. If funding is available, a pathway with a
bench and permanent interpretive signs will be installed. Plants will be monitored for germination
success and plant establishment. Site interpretation, in the forms of written outreach materials
and/or in-person tours, could occur during the summer camping season, dependent on provincial
standards for Covid-19 and air quality (summer wildfire smoke). Site maintenance will be on-going.

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Appendix A. Butterfly Species (J. Arndt data); listed species in bold.
BEA = Beaver Creek; CHA = Charbonneau Creek; SYR = Syringa
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49

Scientific Name
Amblyscirtes vialis
Anthocharis julia
Argynnis cybele
Callophrys augustinus
Callophrys eryphon
Callophrys polia
Celastrina echo
Cercyonis pegala
Chlosyne palla
Coenonympha california
Colias eurytheme
Colias philodice
Colias sp.
Epargyreus clarus
Erebia epipsodea
Erynnis icelus
Erynnis persius
Euphilotes glaucon
Euphydryas anicia
Euptoieta claudia
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
Hesperia sp.
Icaricia acmon/lupini
Icaricia icarioides
Limenitis lorquini
Nymphalis antiopa
Nymphalis californica
Oarisma garita
Ochlodes sylvanoides
Papilio zelicaon
Parnassius sp.
Phyciodes cocyta
Phyciodes mylitta
Pieris marginalis
Pieris rapae
Polygonia faunus
Polygonia gracilis
Polygonia satyrus
Pterourus eurymedon
Pterourus multicaudata
Pterourus rutulus
Pyrgus ruralis
Satyrium saepium
Satyrium sylvinus
Satyrium titus
Strymon melinus
Tharsalea helloides
Thorybes pylades
Thymelicus lineola

Building Butterfly Habitat Yr.1

Common Name
Common Roadside Skipper
Julia Orangetip
Great-spangled Fritillary
Brown Elfin
Western Pine Elfin
Hoary Elfin
Echo Azure
Common Wood Nymph
Northern Checkerspot
Ochre (Common) Ringlet
Orange Sulphur
Clouded Sulphur
Unidentified Sulphur
Silver-spotted Skipper
Butler's (Common) Alpine
Dreamy Duskywing
Persius Duskywing
Cascadia Blue
Anicia Checkerspot
Variegated Fritillary
Silvery Blue
Branded Skipper
Acmon/Lupine Blue
Boisduval's Blue
Lorquin's Admiral
Mourning Cloak
California Tortoiseshell
Garita Skipperling
Woodland Skipper
Anise Swallowtail
Unidentified Parnassian
Northern Crescent
Mylitta Crescent
Margined White
Cabbage White
Green Comma
Hoary Comma
Satyr Anglewing
Pale Tiger Swallowtail
Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Two-banded Checkered Skipper
Hedgerow Hairstreak
Sylvan Hairstreak
Coral Hairstreak
Grey Hairstreak
Purplish Copper
Northern Cloudywing
European Skipperling

BEA (n=31)

CHA (n=31)

SYR (n=29)

7

Appendix B. Nectar and Host Plants (J. Arndt data).
BEA = Beaver Creek; CHA = Charbonneau Creek; SYR = Syringa

Nectar plants – number of records from formal surveys.
Scientific name
Symphyotrichum spp.
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Gaillardia aristata
Ceanothus velutinus
Physocarpus malvaceus
Mahonia aquifolium
Allium schoenoprasum
Centaurea stoebe
Leucanthemum vulgare
Rubus leucodermis
Achillea millefolium
Lithophragma parviflorum

Common Name
aster species
spreading dogbane
brown-eyed Susan
snowbrush
mallow ninebark
tall Oregon-grape
wild chive
spotted knapweed
oxeye daisy
black raspberry
common yarrow
small-flowered woodland-star

Number
63
22
15
7
7
6
6
4
3
3
3
2

Percent
44.68%
15.60%
10.64%
4.96%
4.96%
4.26%
4.26%
2.84%
2.13%
2.13%
2.13%
1.42%

Oviposition behaviour – records from all surveys.
Date
April 16
April 26
April 27
May 10
May 13
June 18
June 18
June 21
August 30

Host Plant Scientific Name
Pinus sp.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Lupinus sericeus
Vicia sp.
Lupinus sericeus
Populus trichocarpa
Ceanothus velutinus
Lupinus sericeus
Rumex acetosella

Building Butterfly Habitat Yr.1

Common Name
pine species
kinnikinnick
silky lupine
vetch species
silky lupine
black cottonwood
snowbrush
silky lupine
sheep sorrel

Butterfly Species
Western Pine Elfin
Hoary Elfin
Silvery Blue
Silvery Blue
Boisduval's Blue
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Pale Tiger Swallowtail
Boisduval's Blue
Purplish Copper

No.
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
2

Site
SYR
BEA
CHA
SYR
CHA
BEA
BEA
CHA
BEA

8

Appendix C. Phenology, reported as peak bloom time (orange), for flowering plants common to two or more sites. Survey months range from April -Sept.,
however, specific days vary depending on site. Peak flowering defined as a phenology code between 60-69 (“Principal growth stage 6: Flowering”).
Charbonneau Creek Conservation Area

Syringa Provincial Park

Beaver Creek Provincial Park

Scientific Name
Arabidopsis thaliana

Scientific Name
Collomia linearis
Draba verna
Taraxacum officinale
Collinsia parviflora
Erythronium grandiflorum
Arabidopsis thaliana

Scientific Name
Draba verna
Erythronium grandiflorum
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Arabidopsis thaliana
Taraxacum officinale
Amelanchier alnifolia
Mahonia aquifolium
Erodium cicutarium
Crataegus douglasii
Myosotis laxa
Prunus virginiana
Maianthemum racemosum
Rumex acetosella
Asparagus officinalis
Paxistima myrsinites
Rosa nutkana (hybrid)
Rosa woodsii
Toxicodendron rydbergii
Tragopogon dubius
Triteleia grandiflora
Achillea millefolium
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Leucanthemum vulgare
Erigeron sp.
Trifolium arvense
Veronica arvensis
Campanula rotundiflora
Gaillardia aristata
Philadelphus lewisii
Symphoricarpos albus
Vicia villosa
Plantago lanceolata
Allium cernuum
Centaurea stoebe
Medicago sativa
Potentilla recta
Hypericum perforatum
Linaria genistifolia
Symphyotrichum laeve

4.15 4.27 5.13 6.01 6.21 7.12 9.02

Draba verna
Collinsia parviflora
Lithophragma parviflorum
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Taraxacum officinale
Amelanchier alnifolia
Boechera retrofracta
Linaria genistifolia
Lomatium dissectum
Mahonia aquifolium
Myosotis laxa
Veronica arvensis
Ceanothus sanguineus
Crataegus douglasii
Prunus pensylvanica
Triteleia grandiflora
Medicago lupulina
Collomia linearis
Eurybia conspicua
Lonicera ciliata
Maianthemum racemosum
Prunus virginiana
Rosa nutkana (hybrid)
Sedum sp.
Achillea millefolium
Gaillardia aristata
Rosa woodsii
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Hieracium scouleri
Leucanthemum vulgare
Rosa sp.
Silene menziesii
Symphoricarpos albus
Tragopogon dubius
Hypericum perforatum
Medicago sativa
Philadelphus lewisii
Centaurea stoebe
Holodiscus discolor
Potentilla recta
Toxicodendron rydbergii

4.16 5.01 5.14 5.31 6.17 7.10 8.31

Amelanchier alnifolia
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Lithophragma parviflorum
Prunus pensylvanica
Triteleia grandiflora
Mahonia aquifolium
Myosotis laxa
Campanula rotundiflora
Ceanothus sanguineus
Erodium cicutarium
Asparagus officinalis
Boechera retrofracta
Erigeron sp.
Medicago lupulina
Prunus virginiana
Rosa nutkana (hybrid)
Achillea millefolium
Rumex acetosella
Silene menziesii
Vicia villosa
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Gaillardia aristata
Paxistima myrsinites
Philadephus lewisii
Potentilla recta
Rosa woodsii
Sedum sp.
Symphoricarpos albus
Trifolium arvense
Allium cernuum
Eurybia conspicua
Holodiscus discolor
Hypericum perforatum
Rosa. sp. (intro.)
Tragopogon dubius
Plantago lanceolata
Centaurea stoebe
Hieracium scouleri

Polygonum douglasii

Lomatium dissectum

Symphyotrichum laeve

Polygonum douglasii
Symphyotrichum laeve

No. Plants Flowering

4.14 4.28 5.13 6.02 6.20 7.06 8.30

18

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2

No. Plants Flowering

No. Plants Flowering
17

31

13

25

3

6

9

Appendix D. Phenology, reported as peak bloom times (yellow), for flowering plants only found at indicated site. Survey months range from April -Sept.,
however, specific days vary depending on site. Peak flowering defined as a phenology code between 60-69 (“Principal growth stage 6: Flowering”).
Charbonneau Creek Conservation Area

Syringa Provincial Park

Beaver Creek Provincial Park

Scientific Name
Fragaria vesca
Lithospermum arvense
Lomatium ambiguum
Hydrophyllum capitatum
Lomatium triternatum
Alyssum desertorum
Acer glabrum
Arenaria serpyllifolia
Delphinium sp.
Galium triflorum
Neslia paniculata
Prosartes hookeri
Senecio sp.
Lithospermum ruderale
Scutellaria angustifolia
Erysimum capitatum
Lupinus sericeus
Phacelia hastata
Alyssum alyssoides
Boechera stricta

Scientific Name
Claytonia rubra
Dodecatheon pulchellum
Delphinium nuttallianum
Toxicoscordium venenosum
Antennaria rosea
Logfia arvensis
Veronica sp.
Epilobium sp.
Erigeron linearis
Lonicera ciliosa
Plantanthera sp.
Rubus leucodermis
Plantago patagonica
Castilleja hispida
Crepis sp.
Spiraea lucida
Hieracium albiflorum
Heuchera cylindrica
Solidago simplex

Scientific Name
Corylus cornuta
Salix scouleriana
Camassia quamash
Arenaria sp.
Malus pumila
Sorbus sp.
Allium schoenoprasum
Ceanothus velutinus
Hieracium gracile
Plantago major
Prunus avium
Trifolium pratense
Lilium columbianum
Berteroa incana
Lysimachia ciliata
Myosotis sp.
Prunella vulgaris
Rhamnus purshiana
Lotus unifoliolatus

4.15 4.27 5.13 6.01 6.21 7.12 9.02

Linum lewisii
Triflolium sp.
Phacelia linearis
Physocarpus malvaceus
Ipomopsis aggregata
Clematis sp.
Epilobium minutum
Erigeron speciosus
Eriogonum heracleoides
Rhus glabra
Sambucus nigra
Sisymbrium altissimum
Melilotis alba
Erigeron divergens
Asclepias speciosa

No. Plants Flowering

7

10

2

4.14 4.28 5.13 6.02 6.20 7.06 8.30

Rumex acetosa
Arnica chamissonis
Conyza canadensis
Coreopsis tinctoria
Hieracium umbellatum
Symphyotrichum boreale
Symphyotrichum subspicatum
Artemisia lindleyana
Mentha arvensis
Gratiola neglecta
Lycopus europaeus
Lythrum salicaria
Oenothera sp.
Solidago lepida
Tanacetum vulgare

Calochortus macrocarpus
Circium undulatum
Collomia grandiflora
Lactuca serriola
Madia exigua
Epilobium foliosum
Melilotus officinalis
Solidago sp.
Verbascum thapsus

No. Plants Flowering

4.16 5.01 5.14 5.31 6.17 7.10 8.31

No. Plants Flowering

18

Building Butterfly Habitat Yr.1

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7

22

8

4

10

Appendix E. Syringa Provincial Park Interpretive Site for Climate Resilient Butterfly Habitat, including
site concept diagram, posted sign, and select photos, October 2021.

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Appendix F. Pale Swallowtail Abundance and
Plant Interaction Study - 2021 Highlights

Study by Joshua Fogal
Summer Student Intern, “Building Climate
Resilient Butterfly Habitat” Project

Funding for the summer student intern
position, and this study, provided by Kootenay
Native Plant Society and Mitacs and was
supported by Selkirk Innovates and Co-op
Education and Employment Services at Selkirk
College, Castlegar, British Columbia.

Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) on spreading
dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) (J. Arndt photo).

Plant-butterfly networks are affected by environmental changes globally and in the West Kootenay
region of British Columbia. “Building Climate Resilient Butterfly Habitat” is a BC Parks Living Lab for
Climate Change and Conservation funded project that will help identify and determine the best
habitat enhancement methods for butterflies, especially at-risk and climate-vulnerable butterflies.
Although currently listed as provincially secure, the Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) may be
vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to life history characteristics including range
contraction and shifts in the timing of, and increased vulnerability at certain, life stages.
“Butterfly Habitat” is a sub-project of the Pollination Pathway Climate Adaptation Initiative
(“Pollination Pathway”), an ongoing program managed by the Kootenay Native Plant Society. This
Pale Swallowtail study was conducted to gain a better understanding of this species’ occurrence and
plant-butterfly interactions in our region and to contribute additional information about an important
and charismatic pollinator in the West Kootenay.
All the Pale Swallowtail study sites occur within the Pollinator Pathway program area, the Lower
Columbia Subregion. There are four main research locales at the Syringa Provincial Park, Beaver
Creek Provincial Park, Charbonneau
Conservation Area, and King George IV
Provincial Park. All the Pale Swallowtail
surveys at these sites occurred while assisting
supervising Lepidopterist Janice Arndt with her
“Butterfly Habitat” surveys (Pollard Walks).
Single surveys were also conducted at Goose
Creek Forest Service Road (Pass Creek Valley),
Worksite F (Waneta), Old Orchard Trail
(Montrose), Millennium Park (Castlegar), and
Lower Brilliant Terrace (kp’itl’els), as well as
two surveys on the Castlegar campus of Selkirk
Janice Arndt and Joshua Fogal conducting a butterfly
College. These supplemental surveys were
survey at Charbonneau Creek Conversation Area (B.
completed either as additional field sites or as
Beckwith photo).
part of other Pollination Pathway field work.

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NUMBER OF BUTTERFLY OBSERVATIONS

In total, 72 observations of Pale
Swallowtail were recorded in the
study area from May 1 to July 29,
2021. Charbonneau Creek
Conservation Area and Beaver
Creek Provincial Park appeared to
offer the most floral resources for
the species as 30 individuals were
documented at Charbonneau
Creek and 21 at Beaver Creek
during this time. Fewer Pale
Swallowtail individuals were
recorded at Syringa (n = 15) and
King George (n = 6) provincial
parks. Of the supplemental
surveys, one Pale Swallowtail was
observed at Millennium Park and
six individuals were seen on the
Old Orchard Trail.

21

15

9
6
3

5
3

4

May

June

July

0

0

April

MONTH
CHA

BEA

SYR

KIG

Pale Swallowtail observations over the summer field season 2021
(CHA = Charbonneau Creek Conservation Area; BEA= Beaver Creek
Provincial Park; SYR - Syringa Provincial Park; KIG = King George
Provincial Park).

It should be noted that not all sites were the same size and, hence, the sampling effort across the
sites varied. Charbonneau Creek had the greatest detection rate (# pale swallowtails/hour spent on
site = 1.69); the other three sites were comparable (range = 0.90-1.10).
Most Pale Swallowtail observations occurred in June (61% of total). The butterflies were most often
demonstrating flying behaviour; however, they were also observed flushed, perching, twirling,
nectaring, and ovipositing on snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus), a known host plant. Spreading
dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) accounted for one quarter of all observations, suggesting
that this plant species is an important nectar resource for Pale Swallowtail in our region. It is still
unclear, though, if spreading dogbane is favoured over other plant species or if it is more common,
and hence more available, in the study sites. Currently, it appears that the Pale Swallowtail is secure
and supported in the West Kootenay.

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301 Frank Beinder Way,
Castlegar, BC V1N 4L3
phone 250.365.7292
toll free 1.888.953.1133
email info@selkirk.ca

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