On a summer day in Michigan, a tiny Poweshiek skipperling butterfly — smaller than a quarter — takes flight over a restored prairie. To most people, it looks like an ordinary butterfly. But to the re...

Michigan State University and partners say they've brought the Poweshiek skipperling butterfly back from near extinction.

An imperiled butterfly and our endangered morality

On a summer day in Michigan, a tiny Poweshiek skipperling butterfly — smaller than a quarter — takes flight over a restored prairie. To most people, it looks like an ordinary butterfly. But to the researchers watching in the wings, this moment represents something extraordinary. Just a few years ago, scientists feared the Poweshiek skipperling was disappearing forever.

The outdoor experience celebrates the bees, butterflies, beetles and other tiny creatures that keep ecosystems thriving, including the rare Poweshiek Skipperling.

Recovery of Critically Endangered insects like Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek) can be difficult due to uncertainty and risk aversion; but population viability analyses can provide an insig...

On a summer day in Michigan, a tiny Poweshiek skipperling butterfly—smaller than a quarter—takes flight over a restored prairie.

This southeastern Michigan township has been restoring habitat necessary to save the Poweshiek skipperling and other rare species, but recent leadership changes could change things.

The interactive exhibit features over 20 animatronic bees and butterflies, highlighting conservation efforts for local species like the Poweshiek skipperling butterfly.

One of the world’s rarest butterflies – the Poweshiek skipperling – was facing extinction, with more found in captivity than existed in the wild. Michigan State University has announced the species has been saved from the brink of extinction with the release of thousands of captive-bred individuals in the past four years. The recovered population is now expanding, a promising sign for the wider ecosystem because, as Dr Nick Haddad told IFLScience, these butterflies “are canaries in the coalmine” – if their habitat is improving, that’s benefiting all species that live there. A tiny butterfly has been quietly losing a battle in the US Midwest since the early 2000s, with its numbers plummeting in the wild. But in 2022, conservation scientists in Michigan started releasing captive-bred Poweshiek skipperlings before they were lost forever. Now, the recovered population has expanded to the point that Michigan State University (MSU) is announcing it has saved the species from extinction. Over 99 percent of the prairie and prairie fen habitat in the US has been lost. By improving habitat for [the] Poweshiek skipperling, we're also improving habitat for all species that live there. David Pavlik It may seem like this is only good news...

A story of hope for the Poweshiek skipperling after a coalition of zoos, biologists and a Michigan township worked together to breed it in captivity and restore its habitat.

On a summer day in Michigan, a tiny Poweshiek skipperling butterfly — smaller than a quarter — takes flight over a restored prairie. To most people, it looks like an ordinary butterfly. But to the re...

The biggest number of zoo-raised Poweshiek skipperling butterflies thus far was released into the wild this summer.

The biggest number of zoo-raised Poweshiek skipperling butterflies thus far was released into the wild this summer.

The biggest number of zoo-raised Poweshiek skipperling butterflies thus far was released into the wild this summer.

The biggest number of zoo-raised Poweshiek skipperling butterflies thus far was released into the wild this summer.

The Poweshiek skipperling was on the knife's edge of extinction. Fast-forward to today, and things are looking up.