Research }()[I C~al1 lTsc Florida Golf Courses Help an Endangered Butterfly Golf courses in the Florida Keys offer their help to save a colorful and rare butterfly. BY JARET C. DANIELS AND THOMAS C. EMMEL "he'.'plight of imperiled fever. He was an amateur butterfly species around naturalist who in his spare time Tthe world continues to discovered and collected generate increased public specimens of a new interest and funding support. swallowtail. Recent management plans When discovered, the created to conserve many Schaus swallowtail inhabited critically endangered butterflies tropical hardwood hammocks mirror the aggressive, creative, on the south Florida mainland. and cooperative nature of This globally endangered those types of plans historically habitat type, one of the most implemented for traditional imperiled plant communities vertebrate conservation in Florida, also occurs through- programs. Laboratory and Native larval host plants and adult nectar sources were planted on golf out the Florida Keys and is field-based ecological research courses to create natural habitat suitable to maintain transient adult composed of slightly elevated combined with captive butterflies, encourage adult movement and gene flow between existing limestone areas that support propagation, organism reintro- colonies, and allow for the natural establishment of new breeding colonies broad-leaved tropical decidu- within the Florida Keys. duction and translocation, ous trees. Due to poor nutrient habitat restoration or augmentation, and ponceanus) is a large, colorful butterfly availability, sparse soils, lack of fresh movement corridor development have endemic to southern Florida; additional water, and harsh growing conditions, helped unite university researchers, subspecies occur in the West Indies.12 It the dense hammock canopy remains governmental agencies, non-govern- is considered one of the rarest resident diminutive, rarely reaching over 40 feet mental conservation organizations, and butterflies in North America and is high. High, stable ground in southern private landowners in a conunon goal listed as an endangered species by both Florida was a highly sought-after of biodiversity conservation. Although the state of Florida and the federal commodity, and soon it was rapidly not yet fully realized, the outcome of government. It is one of seven swallow- dwindling due to expanding urban such ambitious recovery measures has tail butterflies out of about 573 known development surrounding Miami. helped bring invertebrate conservation species that are listed by the Inter- Also during this period, a collector to the forefront and led to cautious, but national Union for Conservation of took a specimen of the swallowtail on optimistic forecasts for the future of the Nature and Natural Resources.1 Key West in 1885. It is not surprising species involved. Historically, the species was once that the Schaus swallowtail was first widespread from the greater Miami area recorded in the Lower Keys, then some THE CASE OFTHE south to Lower Matecumbe Key in the 200 miles from the south Florida main- SCHAUS SWALLOWTAIL Florida Keys. It was formally named as land, as the only viable means of travel By far one of the most successful and a species, Papilio ponceanus, in 1911 by to the Keys was via boat, and Key West highly publicized projects has centered William Schaus, a physician stationed in was a major port. In fact, Key West was on the only endangered swallowtail Miami during the Spanish-American the largest city in Florida in 1890, butterfly in the United States. The War to help treat American soldiers exceeding even Miami in population. It Schaus swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus evacuated from Cuba because of yellow was not until some years later in 1912

22 G R E ENS E C T ION R E COR D that Henry Flagler built a new railroad the observed decline in the swallowtail's and contributed to it being reduced to through the Keys, linking the mainland historic range and numerical abundance an extremely limited geographic range. to Key West and opening up the from 1924 to 1981 had continued, with Despite these setbacks, ensuing re- numerous small islands to tourism and less than 70 adults recorded during the strictions on the use of these chemicals colonization. By then the remaining 1984 flight season. The only three resulted in the slow increase in popula- tropical hardwood hammock habitat on colonies of any significant size were tion, and the Schaus remained relatively Key West had already been cleared for located, all within Biscayne National secure from human-promoted influ- housing and commercial development, Park on Elliott Key, Old Rhodes Key, ences in the small but protected ham- and the butterfly was extirpated there and Totten Key, with a fourth small mocks of Biscayne National Park. The while inhabiting the less-settled Keys to colony in the remaining intact ham- Nongame Wildlife Section of the the north. mock on northern Key Largo being Florida Game and Freshwater Fish represented by only a single adult. Commission subsequently funded three DEVELOPMENT Following this report in 1984, the successive two-year grants (1985-86, ANDANDREW Schaus swallowtail was upgraded in 1987-88, 1991-92), along with addi- THREATEN SURVIVAL In the ensuing decade, better roads, mosquito control, widespread electricity (making air conditioning possible), and fresh water piped in from the Florida mainland brought rapid development to much of the Keys. As a result, the over- all trends in the Schaus swallowtail's range and numerical abundance con- tinued to decline. It was last recorded on the Florida mainland on May 31, 1924,11and during the 1940s to 1970s was reduced in range to Key Largo and numerous small islands to the north within Biscayne National Park. Up to 1972, naturalists could come to Key Largo and regularly see several hundred swallowtails along the sun-dappled hammock trails on the island's northern end. But following the 1972 flight season, Researchers at the University of Florida initiated efforts to improve and expand suitable breeding the Schaus swallowtail population on habitat for the endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly. Native larval host plants and adult nectar Key Largo underwent a rapid and sources are being planted on golf courses in southern Florida to assist that effort. dramatic decline. In 1977, it was listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish listing from threatened to endangered tional assistance from the dePont Fund and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and status. during 1988-90, in order to continue several quick studies were completed to Field and laboratory research indi- the status surveys of this clearly determine the status of the butterfly, cated that the two principal factors endangered butterfly. culminating in a recovery plan written contributing to the demise of the The additional threat to the species by the Florida Game and Freshwater Schaus swallowtail throughout much of resulting from the impact of a major Fish Commission and published in its former range were habitat loss and natural disaster was realized on August 1982. mosquito control adulticide spraying. 24, 1992, when hurricane Andrew In May 1984, at the direct request of The final blow, starting in 1973, had slammed into southern Florida, destroy- the USFWS office in Jacksonville, a been the initiation that year of the use ing or heavily damaging all habitat areas University of Florida research team was of two new organophosphate adulti- fostering remaining butterfly popula- assembled to carry out status surveys in cides, Dibrom and Batex, in the Keys tions. Field surveys conducted during south Florida and make recommenda- by the Monroe County Mosquito the following flight season in 1993 tions for action on the existing recovery Control District. The resulting spraying revealed that Schaus swallowtail popu- plan. The resulting data indicated that had far-reaching effects on the butterfly lations in Biscayne National Park and

J A N U A R Y- FE B R U A R Y 2 00 5 23 northern Key Largo were extremely cessful adult emergence and subsequent tropical hardwood hammock habitat reduced (17 adults on Elliott Key, 33 on reproduction were identified at all sites, throughout much of the Florida Keys, Adams Key, and 7 on Key Largo). representing the first time since 1924 broken only by periodic but negotiable that the Schaus swallowtail was found water barriers. Individuals from neigh- RESEARCHERS RESPOND on the south Florida mainland. The boring colonies regularly infiltrated In a truly serendipitous occurrence, subsequent 1996 and 1997 releases of each other, allowing for more or less just two months prior to Hurricane 500 and 209 adult butterflies enhanced constant gene flow between popula- Andrew, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife the previous year's offSpring in the tions. Additionally, wild population Service had given the University of existing population and established, numbers annually waxed and waned, Florida permission to remove 100 eggs directly or indirectly (via local move- creating periodic localized extinctions in June 1992 as the starter nucleus of a n1ents),6 additional colonies in the that could be overcome by founder large-scale captive propagation program. Upper to Middle Keys. individuals wandering in from nearby Following the destruction wrought by Following these three years of intro- colonies. Hurricane Andrew, the USFWS com- ductions, as of June 1997, the butterfly Today, the remaining Schaus swallow- mitted major funding to continue the occupied sites stretching from the south tail populations no longer have that field surveys and captive propagation Miami area in Dade County to Lower simple luxury. Adult butterflies now program, and implement experimental Matecumbe Key in the Middle Keys of have to deal with urban development reintroduction of the species within Monroe County, across a graphic range that has left the Florida Keys with a protected habitat areas. The bulk of the of 57 miles. Thus the reintroductions patchwork of isolated and often distant captive propagation work was carried have resulted in the quadrupling of the pockets of suitable habitat, making con- out at the University of Florida, where species' geographic range from what it tact between colonies an ever increas- the Boender/USFWS Endangered was in the 20 years prior to the destruc- ingly difficult task. Since all newly Species Laboratory became available tion by Hurricane Andrew. Addition- established colonies were derived from in June 1993, along with screened ally, the total annual wild adult Schaus a relatively small initial nucleus of enclosures and greenhouse support swallowtail population rose to more material obtained from a single colony, facilities. As a result, the captive holding than 1,200 butterflies as of the 1997 all clearly face the continued threat of a became the only readily available source flight season. Still, the celebration of narrowing genetic base, as well as for livestock reintroductions and the project's success was tempered by unforeseen future natural disasters. prompted the rapid expansion of exist- lingering concerns regarding existing ing livestock breeding to become one habitat quality and long-term manage- USGAAND FLORIDA GOLF of the largest endangered invertebrate ment as well as efficient gene flow COURSES GET INVOLVED captive propagation programs in the between populations. The opportunity to develop a viable U.S. In early 1998, under direct funding corridor system to encourage adult This highly fortuitous timing allowed support from the National Fish and butterfly movement and regular gene for the first successful mating of captive Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), habitat flow between colonies presented itself adults (via hand-pairing) in March 1993 improvement was initiated by the in the spring of 1999 through grant and the successful captive production of planting of hundreds of wild lime trees funding from the USGA's Wildlife 31 diapausing pupae by July 1993. Eggs (Zanthoxylum fagara), one of two native Links Program and the NFWF, and produced from these captive females larval host plants, within several selected with the direct cooperation of the U.S. were increased by additional eggs Key Largo colonies. The ultimate goal Fish and Wildlife Service, the University brought from Adams Key in Biscayne was to improve and expand the suitable of Florida, and two private golf clubs. National Park in June 1993 and pro- breeding habitat available to the butter- The project, funded for three years, duced 49 healthy pupae early that fall, fly within already existing protected involved improving and restoring re- the nucleus of the 1994, 1995, and 1996 colony sites and allow for the natural maining tropical hardwood hammock captive propagation programs2,S,6,9,10,1\ for increase of the wild population to suffi- habitat on the golf course property of the 1995, 1996, and 1997 reintroduction cient and stable levels. While habitat Sombrero Country Club in Marathon releases. improvement was currently being and Cheeca Lodge on Islamorada. In spring 1995, the frrst reintroduction addressed, efficient gene flow between Native larval host plants and adult efforts were initiated. A total of 764 the numerous existing and newly estab- nectar sources are being planted to pupae were released at 7 sites, from the lished colonies remained a critical create sufficient natural habitat suitable Deering Estate in south Miami on the concern. to maintain transient adult butterflies, mainland to Key Largo. Despite heavy Historically, the Schaus swallowtail encourage adult movement and gene predation by migrating warblers, suc- enjoyed an intact range of pristine flow between existing colonies, and

24 GREEN SECTION RECORD allow for the natural establishment of The IUCN Red Data Book. Cambridge: 8. Emmel, T. C. 1995. Habitat requirements and new breeding colonies within the Keys. IUCN. status of the endemic Schaus swallowtail in the Florida Keys. Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Central to the project's success is the 2. Emmel, T. C. 1985. Status survey of the Schaus swallowtail in Florida in 1984. Technical Report Commission, Nongame Wildlife Section, cooperation achieved between the No. 14. Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Tallahassee. 202 pp. government agencies, private organiza- Research Unit, University of Florida, 9. Emmel, T. c., A. Sourakov, P.J. Eliazar,J. C. tions, and private landowners involved, Gainesville. 39 pp. Daniels, V. Kroutov,J. Hall, K. Willmott, S. D. ScWachta,J. B. ScWachta, S. Sanchez, R. Worth, including the current development of 3. Emmel, T. C. 1986. Status survey and habitat requirements of Florida's endemic Schaus and K. A. Schwarz. 1998. Captive propagation two Safe Harbor agreements. swallowtail butterfly. Florida Game and Fresh- and experimental reintroduction of Florida's If the current proj ect proceeds as water Fish Commission, Nongame Wildlife Schaus swallowtail (RWO 151). Florida expected and additional funding be- Section, Gainesville. Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Annual Report,January to December 1997. 4. Emmel, T. C. 1988. Habitat requirements and comes available for additional years of Gainesville, Florida. captive propagation, reintroduction, and status of the endemic Schaus swallowtail in the Florida Keys. Florida Game and Freshwater Fish 10. Emmel, T. c., A. Sourakov, P.J. Eliazar,J. C. monitoring, the Schaus swallowtail will Commission, Nongame Wildlife Section, Daniels, V. Kroutov,J. Hall, K. Willmott, S. D. occur over a broad enough geographic Tallahassee. 202 pp. ScWachta,J. B. ScWachta, S. Sanchez, N. Eliazar, I. D. Kincade, and R. Morarnz. 1998. Breeding 5. Emmel, T. c., P.J. Eliazar,J. C. Daniels, S. D. range in protected habitat areas and in and reintroduction of the endangered Schaus Larson, andJ.A. Sarvis. 1993. Status monitoring sufficient areas and in sufficient numbers swallowtail (RWO 179). Florida Cooperative and experimental reintroduction of the endan- Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Annual Report, outside of the Biscayne National Park gered Schaus swallowtail. Florida Cooperative January to December 1997. Gainesville, Florida. population that a major catastrophic Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Annual Report, 11. Kimball, C. P. 1965. The Lepidoptera of event such as a hurricane, fire, or other January to December 1992. Gainesville, Florida. Pp.19-20. Florida. An annotated checklist. Arthropods of focused environmental event no longer Florida and neighboring land areas. Volume 1. 6. Emmel, T. c., P.J. Eliazar,]. C. Daniels, M. C. threatens extinction or major depletion Gainesville: Division of Plant Industry, Florida Minno, S. D. Larson, L. L. Groce,J. A. Fletcher, Department of Agriculture. of the species. At such a point, it seems andJ. L. Nation,Jr. 1994. Captive propagation evident that reclassification of the and habitat reintroduction for the Schaus 12. Smith, D. S., L. D. Miller, andJ.Y Miller. 1994. The butterflies of the West Indies and butterfly's status from endangered to swallowtail following Hurricane Andrew (RWO 113). Pp. 20-21. In Florida Cooperative Fish and south Florida. Oxford University Press, New threatened can occur, making it the first Wildlife Research Unit Annual Report,January York. invertebrate successfully removed from to December 1993. Gainesville, Florida. 54 pp. the U.S. endangered species list. 7. Emmel, T. c., P.J. Eliazar,J. C. Daniels, M. C. Minno, S. D. Larson, and J. A. Sarvis. 1994. Status JARET C. DANIELS, PH.D., and THOMAS monitoring and experimental reintroduction of C. EMMEL, PH.D., McGuire Center for the endangered Schaus swallowtail (RWO 84). P. Lepidoptera and Biodiversit}/JFlorida LITERATURE CITED 20, in Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife 1. Collins, N. M., and M. G. Morris. 1985. Research Unit Annual Report,January to Museum if Natural Histor}/JUniversity if Threatened swallowtail butterflies of the world: December 1993. Gainesville, Florida. Florida) Gainesville) Florida.

The Schaus swallowtail is considered one of the rarest resident butterflies in North America and is listed as an endangered species by both the state of Florida and the federal government.Wild lime plants serve as host sites for swallowtail eggs.

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