Plant Resources and Butterfly Habitat Selection

The microdistribution of adult subalpine butterflies was examined in relation to several components of the mountain meadow flora in Gunnison County, Colorado. With the exception of two small, sedentary species, there was no significant correlation between the microdistribution of the butterflies and that of their larval food plants. Similarly, correlational studies indicated no strong habitat selection on the basis of nectar source abundance. The diversity of the butterfly fauna was, if anything, negatively correlated with overall floral diversity. It thus seems that most of the butterflies studied treat a wide array of meadow-vegetation associations as suitable habitat.