Federal wildlife officials proposed listing the regal fritillary butterfly, once common in the grasslands of Kansas and Missouri, as threatened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks protections for this large, non-migratory butterfly with orange and black markings, which exists in eastern and western subspecies. The western regal fritillary, found in 14 states in the Midwest and Great Plains, faces habitat loss from agriculture, urban development, pesticides, and climate change.

While not immediately at risk of extinction, it is recommended for threatened status. The eastern subspecies, now limited to one National Guard installation in Pennsylvania, is proposed to be listed as endangered. Regal fritillaries rely on grasslands with native violets and indicate prairie health. The species’ prevalence has declined by up to 99.9%. A 60-day public comment period has been initiated, with comments accepted at regulations.gov.