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Reintroducing Miami Blues

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Reintroducing Miami Blues Holly Salvato David Lysinger Reintroducing Miami Blues by Dennis Olle In November, 2002, the State of Florida, responding to a petition from NABA, des- ignated Miami Blues as an endangered spe- cies. Since that emergency listing and the subsequent confirmation of endangered status, efforts to protect the butterflies have A Nectaring Miami Blue. Sept. 24, been moving forward with reasonably good 2005. Bahia Honda State Park, Monroe speed; however, there have been some recent Co., FL. “bumps” in the road. Holly Salvato A propagation program for Miami Blues, adult females were released. Both Elliott directed by Dr. Jaret Daniels at the University Key and the Flamingo area contain exten- of Florida, Gainesville and funded by the U.S. sive stands of gray nickerbean (Caesalpinia Fish and Wildlife Commission, was begun in bonduc). Follow-up surveys, at the release The argument of the FKMCD is they the latter half of 2003. The captive breeding sites later in 2004, found a small number of need to spray pesticides throughout the Keys program was intended to provide a reservoir adults. and that the presence of an endangered spe- of individuals should a disaster strike the last More recent developments (or the lack cies will interfere with their duties. Using remaining wild colony at Bahia Honda Key, thereof) in the field have not been as encour- this reasoning to block the release of Miami and to provide breeding stock that could be aging: So far as I am aware, there have no Blues onto northern Key Largo, for example, used for reintroducing Miami Blues to loca- attempts to create suitable habitat for Miami seems illogical, since this area already con- tions where they formerly thrived but at which Blues very close to the existing colony, allow- tains populations of the federally endangered they no longer occur. Initial propagation ing them to increase their range naturally. In Schaus’ Swallowtail and thus cannot legally be efforts have been reported to be highly suc- addition, as of this writing, releases have not sprayed. cessful. Through 2005, twenty-four genera- been re-commenced in the 2005 wet season. Notwithstanding the initial propagation tions of Miami Blues, including more than The Florida Keys Mosquito Control successes, we have learned that there is an 20,000 viable pupas and almost 13,000 adults District (“FKMCD”) has successfully stalled insufficient number of caterpillars available have been reared. However, transferring these efforts aimed at restoring Miami Blues any- to re-commence timely 2004-type releases Top: The reintroduction sites, such as laboratory successes to successful reintroduc- where in the Florida Keys (Monroe Co.). into the wild this year. Surprisingly, despite tions in the field is, at best, problematic. FKMCD initiated a legal action against the these limited numbers, the staff of the Florida this site near Flamingo, in Everglades The first attempts at field reintroductions, State of Florida and the University of Florida, Wildlife & Conservation Commission (FWC), National Park, have ample amounts during the “wet season” (May-Oct) of 2004, et al., seeking to enjoin them from releasing trying to meet objections from the FKMCD, of gray nickerbean, the caterpillar were limited to one site in Biscayne National any Miami Blues into the Florida Keys. While has elected to begin a pesticide study subject- foodplant for the Miami Blues. Park (Elliott Key) and to more than a half no injunction against releasing Miami Blues ing captive-raised Miami Blues, in various dozen other sites in the Flamingo area of Ever- has been granted in the action, for all practical life stages, to chemicals commonly sprayed Above: Another nectaring Miami Blue. glades National Park. These initial attempts purposes, the FKMCD appears to have gotten over natural areas to kill adult mosquitoes Sept. 24, 2005. Bahia Honda State at reintroducing Miami Blues to the wild were its way as the State has refused to proceed (adulticides). We assume that the conclusion Park, Monroe Co., FL. mainly limited to releasing laborary-raised with any re-introduction in the Keys in the following the sacrifice of these rare creatures caterpillars, although in a few cases pregnant face of this opposition. is foregone: Diabrome (the adulticide used by 22 American Butterflies,Fall 2005 23.
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