Natural History Wanderings

Mormon Fritillary (Photo credit: shell game)

Science Daily reports on how an early snowmelt in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is having a negative impact on the population of the Mormon Fritillary butterfly, Speyeria mormonia.  The early snowmelt, caused by climate change, has led to a decrease in flowers and available nectar for the butterflies. Read more at Science Daily Early spring drives butterfly population declines: Ahead-of-time snowmelt triggers chains of events in the Mormon Fritillary butterfly.