Keeping Track of Scaled Jewels: Biology and Conservation of Maine’s Butterflies

Insects comprise over half of all species described on earth. One of Maine’s more colorful and conspicuous insect groups are the Lepidoptera—butterflies and moths. Butterflies serve an important ecological role both as pollinators of many wildflowers and as prey to larger species ranging from dragonflies to migrant warblers. In this talk, wildlife biologist Phillip deMaynadier will introduce the public to the biology and diversity of Maine’s butterflies, highlight results from a recent statewide butterfly atlas, and offer conservation measures that can be taken to protect these beautiful and important animals.
Author-signed copies of the recently published Butterflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces (Cornell University Press) will also be available for purchase at a discounted rate.

Phillip deMaynadier, Wildlife Biologist, Ph.D., has worked as a wildlife biologist for Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for 27 years with a focus on nongame and endangered species. He currently supervises the Department’s Wildlife Diversity Section. Phillip received his doctorate in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine in 1996 where he serves on the graduate faculty. Having authored over 50 scientific publications, Phillip focuses much of his attention now on helping narrow the gap between conservation science and policy.