Threats to Survival and Reproduction
Habitat loss is the leading cause of the decline of the island marble butterfly. Conversion of prairie by settlers to homes and agricultural fields has reduced available prairie habitat. Invasive species and small population size further impacts the island marble butterfly. Causes of decline include:

• Land-use effects
• Habitat loss 
• Changes to patterns of disturbance
• Predation of eggs and larvae by native spiders, arthropods, and invasive paper wasps
• Herbivory of host plants by deer resulting in incidental predation of eggs and larvae
• Invasive and non-native species
• Recreation and trampling
• Small population size, genetic drift, and limited genetic diversity
• Climate change including storm inundation, host plant timing, and variance of seasonal rainfall

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