Documentary

Butterflies in Danger of Disappearing

By greenexpander ⋅ September 24, 2007 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Similar to many species of animals that are threatened, butterflies also risk disappearing from nature. It is estimated that 17,500 species of butterflies are spread throughout almost the entire world. Some of them only live for 3 or 4 days, while others for up to 40 days. The greatest threats posed to butterflies are the constant habitat change and loss due to the development of residential and agricultural areas. Here is a breakdown of the threatened and endangered species of butterflies:

Threatened

• Bay Checkerspot - This butterfly historically inhabited numerous areas around the San Francisco Bay, the mountains near San Jose, the Oakland hills, and several areas in Alameda County. Most members of this species have disappeared due to extensive development of the Bay area. New grassland plants have been introduced, thus causing a decrease in the number of host plant. Now butterflies are present in the San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, funding being provided for a butterfly preserve and research towards conservation of the Bay Checkerspot.

• Oregon Silverspot - Historically, this species was found along the Pacific coasts of southern Washington and northern Oregon. The butterfly was declared a federally threatened species on July 2, 1980. The invading vegetation has eliminated most of the early blue violet, the essential food plant of silverspot larvae. In an effort to re-establish the silverspot population, Wildlife Diversity biologist have established a violet nursery. After a few years, plants will be moved to sites inhabited by these butterflies. Through these efforts and the protection of damaged grasslands, this beautiful native species may once again color our environment.

Endangered:

• Behren’s Silverspot - The species historically ranged from the Russian River in Sonoma County north to Pt. Arena in southern Mendocino County, but now there is only a single population at Pt. Arena. Commercial and residential development, grazing and off-road vehicle are threatening the butterfly’s habitat, while non-native vegetation invade the food plants of their larvae. Although the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan provides protection from
  habitat destruction, butterflies are often illegally collected for being sold on the black market.

• Uncompahgre Fritillary - Discovered only in 1978 and classified as a new species in 1984, the butterfly can be found in the meadows of the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. Many scientists are optimistic about finding new populations, threats to this species still exist. Illegal collecting, grazing by livestock animals, increased recreational activities or drought conditions are among the factors that led to the species being classified as endangered in 1982.

• Smith’s Blue - The butterfly was recorded as a species in the mid-1950s. The species ranged along the coast from Monterey Bay south through Big Sur to near Point Gorda. In 1976 it was categorized as an Endangered Species, being the first insect to be protected under the Endangered Act. By the late 1990s, more than half of the butterfly’s population was destroyed by the invasion of foreign plants and increased traffic along the coast. Hostplants for their larvae are bred at Fort Ord, a base established by the American Army, the nation’s first insect-based preserve.

• Schaus Swallowtail - North Key Largo and the larger Keys in Biscayne National Monument, the species was listed as a threatened species in 1976 then changed to endangered in 1984 and is known as United States’ rarest kind of butterfly. Main causes include the loss of its habitat (tropical hardwood hammock), the effects of Hurricanes Andrew in 1992 and Georges in 1998 on the inhabiting areas, over control and mosquito control practices. Recovery teams are currently focusing on recovering their habitat and protecting the existing areas where the Swallowtail can be found.

• Saint Francis’ Satyr -This butterfly can be found in Cumberland County, North Carolina, being one of the rarest butterflies in Eastern North America. It was discovered in 1989 and declared extinct the same year, scientists believing it has been collected to extinction. The year 1992 was a lucky one for conservationists, when a small metapopulation was found in NC. Areas inhabited by the satyr are monitored during the species’ flight period to prevent poaching, this species being highly prized by collectors.

• Palos Verdes blue - This species survives only on a few small habitats on the Palos Verdes Peninsula; it was believed to be extinct for over a decade due to heavy urban development until a population at the Defense Fuel Support Point in San Pedro was found in 1994. The Defense Logistics Agency, with Rudi Mattoni from UCLA and The Urban Wildlands Group are involved in the restoration of the blue butterfly’s habitat also directing a captive rearing program. The population in the wild is stable at around 300 individuals, the rearing program showing a tremendous success in 2007, with a captive stock of pupae of over 4,000 individuals.