Butterfly Biologist

Outside the city of Reno, Nevada, western pygmy blue butterflies flutter over an open field. But if you don’t look down, you might miss them! Smaller than a fingernail, these itty-bitty insects fly close to the ground.

Butterfly populations across America—including the western pygmy blue’s—are falling. Biologist Matt Forister studies them, trying to understand exactly why they're disappearing—and what we can do to help. For years, he has researched the relationship between butterflies and the plants they eat as caterpillars. 

“Western pygmy blues eat tumbleweeds,” says Forister. “[The plant is] rough and spiny, but these caterpillars find a way to eat it.” 

Western pygmy blue butterflies live outside the city of Reno, Nevada. They flutter over open fields. But you might not see them if you don’t look closely. The butterflies fly close to the ground. They’re also smaller than a fingernail!

Butterfly populations across America are falling. That includes the western pygmy blue population. Biologist Matt Forister studies western pygmy blue butterflies. He tries to understand why they're disappearing. He wants to find out what we can do to help. Forister has been researching for years. He studies the relationship between butterflies and the plants they eat when they are caterpillars.

“Western pygmy blues eat tumbleweeds,” says Forister. “[The plant is] rough and spiny. But these caterpillars eat it.” 

Forister and his students track butterflies in the desert and mountains. They visit some sites repeatedly to count butterflies and study the plants and other insects the butterflies interact with. Sometimes they bring the insects back to their laboratory. They study what plants the caterpillars can eat.

Limited open spaces in the wild have contributed to the dip in butterfly populations, explains Forister. Cutting down trees and paving over open fields causes a loss of habitat. With fewer places to find plants to eat, butterflies struggle to survive. Plus, some remaining plants can be dangerous to eat if they have pesticides on them. Lastly, all environments are being affected by climate change. 

“We know those are the main factors,” says Forister. “But for any given species, it can be challenging to know which is the most important.”

Forister and his students track butterflies in the desert and mountains. They visit some sites repeatedly. They count butterflies. They study the plants and other insects the butterflies interact with. Sometimes they bring the insects back to their laboratory. They study what plants the caterpillars can eat.

There are limited open spaces in the wild. That is partly why butterfly populations have dropped, explains Forister. People have cut down trees. They’ve paved over open fields. That causes a loss of habitat. Butterflies have fewer places to find plants to eat. They struggle to survive. Plus, some remaining plants have pesticides on them. That can make them dangerous to eat. Lastly, climate change is affecting all environments.

“We know those are the main factors,” says Forister. “But it can be challenging to know which is the most important.”

Fortunately, you can help create safe habitats for butterflies! 

Research a plant species that’s naturally found where you live and plant it. Don’t use pesticides.

“Insects do not need very much,” Forister says. “In butterfly conservation, it’s easy to do some good.”

Fortunately, you can help create safe habitats for butterflies!

Research a plant species that’s found in the wild where you live. Plant it. Don’t use pesticides.

“Insects do not need very much,” Forister says. “It’s easy to do some good in butterfly conservation.”