Summer Seed Collection at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Helps Endangered Butterfly

At Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, collecting native seed is one way staff are helping restore previously tilled lands to lowland prairie. One collection day focused specifically on violets, a small plant with an important connection to one of the prairie’s butterflies. Restoring previously tilled lands to their original state—in this case lowland prairie—takes time, resources and careful planning. The collection of local seed is an essential part of this process, as it is better adapted to our climate than commercially available alternatives.

Why Violets?

Violets serve as the sole larval host for fritillary butterflies. When we collect and then plant seeds, it creates more caterpillar food!

Fascinatingly, the female butterflies seem to find violets even after they have wilted and blown away; it’s possible they can smell the root. In late summer, female butterflies lay thousands of eggs in areas where violets should, would or could be.

Those eggs transform over winter and emerge as baby caterpillars right alongside the baby violets, which serve as a fresh meal to help their growth.

While fall migration brings plenty of attention to butterflies on the move, the story of butterflies on the prairie is also tied to what is happening beneath our feet. For species like the regal fritillary, having the right plants in the right places helps support the next generation.

Regal Fritillary Butterfly Listed as Endangered

The regal fritillary is a large brush-footed butterfly with bright orange forewings and black spots. Known for its bold coloring, this pollinator is found in remnant tallgrass prairie, like that at the preserve, and all across the Great Plains and eastern United States.

Habitat alteration, including loss of areas to live and grow during critical life-cycle stages, and reduction of specific nutrient plants like violets, has reduced their range and abundance. Viable populations require a large number of violet plants.

In 2024, the regal fritillary was listed as endangered – but restoration efforts like our violet seed collection can help provide the habitat and host plants this species relies on.

Species Spotted at Marvin Schwilling Memorial Butterfly Count

In 2025, preserve staff and researchers collected data for the Marvin Schwilling Memorial Butterfly Count at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and nearby Chase State Fishing Lake.

More than 1,858 butterflies across 47 species were counted, including the endangered regal fritillary, American snout, gray copper and pearl crescents. The count provided insight into species occurrence and distribution in the Flint Hills and is named in honor of influential Kansas biologist and naturalist Marvin Schwilling.

Native seed collection events are hosted in partnership with our friends at the National Park Service.