Mottled Duskywing: Butterflies are resilient

In this episode of Rarefied, we head to the savannahs and grasslands of Ontario to uncover the story of one of the province’s most endangered butterflies: the Mottled Duskywing. Despite its subtle appearance, this resilient butterfly plays a vital role in its ecosystem.

Our guest, Dr. Ryan Norris, Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, shares his journey working with the Ontario Butterfly Species at Risk Recovery Team. He dives into the science behind reintroducing the Mottled Duskywing to its natural habitats—oak savannas and tallgrass prairies—and explains why saving even the smallest species matters.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the Mottled Duskywing is at risk and what makes it unique.
• The challenges and successes of reintroducing endangered species to the wild.
• How conservation efforts can inspire hope for endangered species worldwide.

About Our Guest:
Dr. Ryan Norris is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology. His research focuses on understanding the factors that influence the abundance and distribution of wild animals, primarily birds and butterflies. In 2019, he began working with the Ontario Butterfly Species at Risk Recovery Team to reintroduce Mottled Duskywing to oak savanna and tall grass prairie habitats in southern Ontario. In addition to Mottled Duskywing, Ryan has also conducted research on Monarch butterflies for 15 years and leads two long-term bird studies, one on Canada Jays in Algonquin Provincial Park that began in 1967 and another on Savannah sparrows on Kent Island, Bay of Fundy that began in 1987.