Projektin The Diana Project: Diana Fritillary Conservation Status Päiväkirja

https://www.kuaf.com/show/ozarks-at-large/2024-05-15/the-diana-project-celebrates-pollinator-month-with-volunteer-events

Also, be sure to check out https://thedianaproject.org for upcoming volunteer events and presentations.

I don't know how to post a link here but this is the very first Diana of the flight season!

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/215987995

Any minute now! Looks like the earliest Diana in the history was sighted around May 11 so we are getting close. I saw thistles out today so there is food to be had. Has everyone got the Diana Primary plant list that wants it? Holler if you need it!

I have never seen so many violets as I did today. I am so excited to keep checking back at this location for The Diana. Most of the violets had little nibbles on the leaves!

According to https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/Plants/3455 there are 23 species of wildlife that depend on native violets. Something out there sure was!

If you are in NW Arkansas be sure to check out The Nature Conservancy's Logan Springs Preserve located at 15300 Osage Hill Rd, Siloam Springs, AR.

Call for volunteers! June 17-23, 2004 at the amazing Ozark Natural Science Center near Huntsville, AR. The Diana Project needs folks to help teach and lead hikes or just fetch and clean. You can volunteer for a day or the whole week. Email me if you are interested!

Thanks to a study from Professor William Baltosser* we know The Diana is somewhat of a specialist AND we have a list of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary nectar plants. Lack of preferred food for adults may be playing a huge part in their struggles. Let's plant some of these this year! I have a google sheet to share if anyone wants access, just let me know by emailing me at CitizenScienceNWA@gmail.com

Primary Nectar Plants for Diana fritillary
Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush/Globe Flower
Cirsium carolinianum Carolina/Soft Thistle
Cirsium discolor Field/Pasture Thistle
Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower
Monarda fistulosa Beebalm/Wild Bergamot
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Slender Mountain Mint
Monarda russeliana Horsemint/Red Purple Beebalm
Keep in mind the LARVAL HOST PLANT of native Viola sp.

*Conservation Status and Genetic Variation of the Diana Fritillary, William H. Baltosser, Ph.D. – 10 April 2008

We had a very well received interview with co-founder Shawn Hunter and Jack Travis, Reporter, Ozarks at Large on KUAF.
Listen to the interview here: https://www.kuaf.com/show/ozarks-at-large/2023-11-30/a-passion-for-pollinators-how-the-diana-project-aims-to-save-the-state-butterfly

Hello all,
My apologies for the multiple changes today. I have a participant show has multiple sightings on iNat and has joined our project, but her sightings aren't showing up. You may have gotten a few "Do you trust this project" notifications because I was altering settings to try to figure out if I had something set wrong. I also simplified our description a little. Thanks for your patience!

I would like to use Maxent software to pinpoint sightings attempts next flight season. There is a software called Maxent that can help do this. It is free but requires some coding knowledge I think, and a computer that has javascript. Any volunteers?

Here is the link to download and find more info:
https://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org/open_source/maxent/

Hello all,
There is an amazing opportunity to apply for a substantial grant that would boost our chances of saving The Diana.

But I can't do it alone. I need, in the very least, a few folks who like to research or write and are willing to meet in person to discuss a grant opportunity. Basically a brainstorming session to discuss the grant listed here:

https://www.pollinator.org/lepidoptera?fbclid=IwAR0ohXFafndYBlVTom7Fm-GaZT7_BQfIbCSr187CgOGu4Y3ehXuiKkx6IXI_aem_Ae6HIrWypwiV6Ri9GAzFbZJppzOsaib3TSWeFuGzrVV2HVlT71Qdm6U39aS9-ad5xXU

Please email me if you are interested in helping even if you have no experience with grants. citizensciencenwa@gmail.com

(Sorry you will have to copy and paste - I haven't figured out how to make a live link in the posts)