Changes in phenology are among the most noticeable responses by wildlife to climatic warming, but such changes can be highly variable. Species often display an individualistic response to climate, dictated by their specific ecological traits. Recent study suggests species’ traits can predict responses to climate change. We examined temporal trends for 5-19 years per butterfly species (14 in total) – including the severely declining eastern regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia idalia) – and considering species traits (i.e. larval diet breadth, voltinism) at Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center (southeastern Pennsylvania, USA). We provide some evidence of phenological change over time.
Results/Conclusions
Three species advanced their appearance and one had longer flight period as the study period progressed. In contrast, only one butterfly had later appearance. Species with narrower larval diet breadth (such as S. i. idalia) were found to extend the duration of their flight period and herbivorous butterflies to delay their appearance, while univoltine species experienced both phenological advancement and extension of flight period. Our results demonstrated that the butterfly community can be responsive to climatic change even when the study area is subject to both warmer and wetter conditions. We suggest that for poorly-studied butterfly communities, species traits can identify the most vulnerable groups of species, and guide their management until scientific studies can be undertaken.