Jenna Royson, North Dover Elementary
Ocean County
Mitchell's satyr butterfly. Jenna Royson
Mitchell Satyr Butterfly
Hi, hi there! My name is Mitch. The scientists call me Neonympha mitchelli mitchelli. I am a Mitchell Satyr butterfly. You may not recognize me, but I am the star of such features as “Caterpillar,” and “Chrysalis.” The reason you don’t recognize me is because I am an endangered species. Let me tell you a little more about my species.
We have a wingspan of 1 ¾ inches long. Our rich brown color and pretty orange and black spots give us a very beautiful appearance. We live in fens located in Michigan and Indiana. We use to live in New Jersey and Ohio too, but those humans relocated us. Our favorite spot is on a light tan weed called a sedge, which as a caterpillar I loved to eat. It’s as comfortable as a couch and as soft as a pillow. Adult butterflies like me only live for two weeks. We don’t waste our time eating or drinking during that stage. But every life has an ending.
According to the history of Satyr butterflies, June 25, 1991, was the saddest day for our kind. It was the day our species was put on the Endangered Species list. We have been hunted by butterfly collectors. Humans have destroyed our habitats to build farms and communities. Pesticides and fertilizers from the farms also eliminated our habitat.
On a positive note, humans are now trying to save us. They are helping by protecting prairie fens, which is our natural habitat. Teaching farmers about controlling pesticide run-off has also helped. Humans have gone as far as to create a “captive rearing program.” This means that they are breeding us in a zoo under protective conditions and then releasing us into the wild. Thank you, humans!
Written by: Jenna Royson
North Dover Elementary
Toms River, NJ
Teacher: Mrs. Rosa Fisher