The Future of Entomological Investments

Pioneer Lecture 139

PLANNING FOR TOMORROW: THE FUTURE OF ENTOMOLOGICAL INVESTMENTS

JACQUELINE Y. MILLER, JARET C. DANIELS, AND THOMAS C. EMMEL McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112710, Gainesville, FL 32611-2710

The Florida Entomological Society Pioneer over time. Finally and not in the least, we wish to Lecture honored William and Nadine McGuire honor and recognize them for their extraordinary during the Annual FES Meetings, Jul 16-19, 2007 philanthropy in founding the McGuire Center for for their accomplishments and contributions to Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the Florida Mu- science, culture, and the world at large. It is in- seum of Natural History, University of Florida, deed fitting that we recognize them for their re- and their continued support for training of gradu- markable detailed scientific research contribu- ate and undergraduate students at the University tions on the life histories and taxonomic relation- of Florida and elsewhere throughout the U.S.A. ships of the poorly known skipper butterflies (Hesperioidea), especially the genus Hesperia and HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE the subfamily Megathyminae, which are exceedingly difficult groups. In addition, the McGuires William McGuire is an accomplished physician. have provided a leadership role in emphasizing He received a B.A. from the University of Texas, the need for entomological and other collections of Austin, in 1970, and his medical degree from the organisms as biological research resources for sci- University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, entific investigation and for educating the general Texas in 1974. His talents in cardiopulmonary and public at large about natural history. The McGuires trauma care medicine were honed at the Univer- (Fig. 1) have a keen interest in endangered spe- sity of Texas, the Scripps Institute in California, cies, biodiversity, conservation and the environ- and the Penrose/Broadmoor Hospital complex in ment, and the major role that entomological col- Colorado Springs, Colorado. By 1984, his extraor- lections, especially Lepidoptera as bioindicator dinary medical and management skills attracted species can play in documenting species diversity the attention of the president of a small, nascent HMO in Colorado Springs: Peak Healthcare Sys- tems. Starting as Vice President, he soon became President and CEO. In 1988 he became Executive Vice-President of United Healthcare, and the President in 1989. During the next 2 decades, un- til his retirement in Dec 2006, his talents, in- sights, and vision built United Health into a $30- billion corporation and the leading health mainte- nance organization in the world. As we recognize the McGuires’ entomological contributions, it is serendipitous that the Florida Entomological Society Meetings have convened in Sarasota, Florida, this year. One of Bill McGuire’s major mentors, Arthur C. Allyn, lived here for many years. An owner of the Chicago White Sox, in addition to a wide variety of national and international businesses, including aviation interests and the Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Allyn was a well known philanthropist in Chicago and also in Sarasota. He was also the Director and founder of the Allyn Museum of Entomology, based in a small building adjacent to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens where Drs. Jacqueline and Lee Miller served as the curatorial staff. Bill McGuire became well acquainted with Arthur Allyn during occasional visits to the Museum collections during the mid-80s. When Dr. Allyn also became Di- rector of the San Diego Natural History Museum in 1979-1980, the friendship between Allyn and the McGuires was rekindled as they interacted on Fig. 1. Nadine and William McGuire. a regular basis. For the record, Arthur Allyn do-

140 Florida Entomologist 91(1) March 2008

nated the facilities, research collections of more the opportunity to investigate and detail this as- than 900,000 specimens, equipment and other as- pect of Hesperia biology. Again, the McGuires sets of the Allyn Museum to the University of noted the importance of well documented speci- Florida Foundation, Inc. and the Florida Museum mens in collections with field observations and life of Natural History in 1981. The extensive collec- history information. Their research on Hesperia tions of the Allyn collections and its phylogenetic set the standard for life history studies on this ge- arrangement became the foundation of the ex- nus and encouraged others to look beyond morpho- traordinary comprehensive McGuire Center but- logical examination and include life history, spa- terfly holdings. tial and temporal, and behavior studies as well. To date, McGuire has authored or co-authored RESEARCH 5 papers with additional research to be published. His first 3 papers were published in the Bulletin Like his mentor, Arthur Allyn, Bill McGuire is of the Allyn Museum (1975, 1982a, 1982b), with an exceptional, self-taught amateur taxonomist, two others published in a major volume, System- and Lepidoptera is his foremost avocation. Dur- atics of Western Butterflies (1998). His interest in ing his meteoric rise in the medical business the Hesperioidea has continued, and these publi- world, Bill did not forget his roots in the natural cations are still widely acclaimed for their accu- sciences. As a medical student, he and Nadine racy and detail. Thus far, there have been 2 taxa were already building the world’s finest collection named in his honor, Euphyes macguirei Freeman of the Giant Skipper butterfly subfamily, Megath- 1975 (Hesperioidea) from Texas (this is not a mis- yminae, as well as the Hesperia skippers. Often spelling but was defined by the requirements of Bill would find different Hesperia populations or the zoological code at that time) and Clanis an unusual set of Agave or Yucca plants (the hosts mcguirei Eitchberger, 2004 (Sphingoidea) from for Agathymus and Megathymus) growing in a North Thailand. Other new taxa, including a re- distinctive habitat. Later while Bill was confined markable new fossil butterfly species from Colom- by coursework, the medical practice, or business, bia, are currently under description. he would send Nadine out to revisit these field sites, to make observations, obtain eggs and lar- THE MCGUIRE CENTER FOR vae with the proper foodplant, and bring live ma- LEPIDOPTERA AND BIODIVERSITY terial back home to complete the life history. Thus, with her assistance and some help from When the McGuire’s oldest daughter, Marissa, others on the life history studies, he described a expressed an interest in completing a summer en- number of new taxa from California, Texas, and vironmental internship working at the Endan- elsewhere in the western United States. These gered Species Laboratory at the University of were in-depth research studies, and prior to 1982, Florida, the McGuire family visited the Univer- they had examined and made observations on 64 sity of Florida campus for the first time. They populations of Hesperia representing 31 species were astounded at the productivity of the staff and subspecies. All of these taxa were reared com- and students working on numerous endangered pletely or in part from ova with detailed notes and species and the systematic and ecological re- preserved immature stages. While all Hesperia search completed in the very limited facilities. generally deposit eggs directly on grasses, some Noting this situation along with the promise of species deposit eggs on adjacent plants. McGuire many talented faculty, curators, and students (1982a) predicted great diversity in oviposition working with the University’s research collec- substrates and foodplants, and noted that basic tions of Lepidoptera which were then scattered in field observations and field and laboratory rear- 7 different buildings across the home campus and ings will be the cornerstones of this search and south to Sarasota, Bill and Nadine McGuire took must be actively encouraged. the initiative in Jun 2000 to request a proposal In another paper published in 1982, McGuire that would unite all these academic units and ac- focused on documenting the significance of tempo- tivities into one great world-class new Center ral and spatial relationships in the genus Hesperia that could address biodiversity and environmen- and their associated foodplants in Texas based on tal problems, focusing on Lepidoptera as a flag- data derived from private and public collections. ship group, but including other organisms as well. He visited private and museum collections and be- Dr. Thomas C. Emmel in conjunction with Dr. gan to note the differences in terms of temporal Douglas S. Jones, Director of the Florida Museum distributions of various species. Some species, for of Natural History, developed this proposal along example Hesperia viridis, are bivoltine, but the with input from discussions with several UF de- emergence period is spread out over 2 to 3 months, partmental chairs, especially Dr. John L. Capin- while others such as H. metea licinius, a more com- era, Chair of the Department of Entomology and mon species, are multivoltine throughout the Nematology. Upon review of this proposal and flight period. Although Don MacNeil had noted through a subsequent series of extraordinary some temporal differences, Bill and Nadine took gifts totaling over $7.5 million from the McGuire

Pioneer Lecture 141

Family Foundation to UF plus 4.2 million in state mens. Consequently, new acquisitions targeting matches, the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and geographic or taxonomic gaps continue on a regu- Biodiversity was brought to reality by mid 2004 lar basis. with the completion of a new 50,000 square foot Adjacent to the collection rooms on the second building complex. This facility represents a $12 and third floors, there are research laboratories million private and matching public invest- and office spaces for curatorial staff and graduate ment—one of the largest entomological invest- students. There is a working research and refer- ments ever made! ence library on the third floor which has expanded The University of Florida held the official ded- markedly since 2004. In addition, there is a spa- ication ceremony for the McGuire Center for Lep- cious conference room on the third floor where so- idoptera and Biodiversity on Oct 8, 2004. During ciety meetings and national and international the proceedings, Dr. McGuire gave an impas- workshops are hosted on numerous occasions sioned speech alluding to the global importance of each year since the Center opened. There are bi- this unique facility. He stated that “the Center weekly seminars held in the conference room and will bring together the great human and collec- during the past year alone, 20 visiting national tion resources already located at the University of and international research scientists made pre- Florida into one unit that will focus on and foster sentations here during the fall and winter terms a wide range of research and educational opportu- of 2006. nities with biodiversity and environmental con- The full time staff includes 12 curators and 2 cerns.” He further exclaimed that “it (the Center) collection managers. There are currently 17 will help bring to the forefront of human concern grants in progress and 21 research papers were the great need to preserve the Earth’s biodiver- published in peer-reviewed journals during 2006, sity, and address the environmental and human with others in press. There are presently 9 gradu- population issues that are adversely impacting ate students, not including 2 visiting students the world around us in the 21st century.” From from Venezuela and Brasil, and 2 postdoctoral fel- these ideas, and the many previous conversations lows in residence at the McGuire Center. Within with Dr. Thomas C. Emmel, evolved the Center’s the last year, 3 Ph.D. candidates and 3 M.S. stu- elegantly simple mission statement: dedicated to dents completed their degrees. Thus, we success- understanding, preserving and interpreting the fully have developed the academic side and world’s Lepidoptera, biodiversity and environ- brought the McGuires’ vision to reality in provid- ment. The McGuires understood that successfully ing opportunities for students. addressing this broad goal represents a signifi- Their vision and generosity is longstanding as cant challenge—and one that requires effective, during the past 20 years, Bill and Nadine charismatic messengers. For them, Lepidoptera McGuire have quietly made numerous personal fit the bill perfectly. These colorful insects repre- financial gifts to support graduate student fellow- sent powerful and highly effective tools for scien- ships and endangered species research on Lepi- tific discovery, biodiversity conservation, and en- doptera. In addition to the other gifts listed, Bill vironmental education. and Nadine have continued to obtain exceptional, The extensive Lepidoptera collections are the well documented collections and libraries and foundation of the Center, and there are collection plan to donate these to the University of Florida rooms totaling more than 12,000 sq. ft. with mod- in the future. ern mechanical storage units on each of 3 floors. These are exceptional resources that are used to CONSERVATION help document and inventory global biodiversity. The Lepidoptera collections from the Florida Conservation is central to the Center’s mission, State Collection of Arthropods, Div. of Plant In- and is reflected in broad faunal inventories as well dustry, were also moved into the McGuire Center as individual imperiled-species recovery projects. in 2005, and along with these came the immature One such program has focused on the Miami blue collections, especially those of Dale Habeck. butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) These, coupled with the John Downey collection (Comstock & Huntington) (Lycaenidae). Once from the Allyn Museum, make these special col- widespread and locally abundant, the Miami blue lections exceedingly significant. has been eliminated from much of its former These collections offer multiple avenues for range due to ever-expanding urbanization and the scientific research focusing on taxonomy, system- associated loss of coastal habitat. In the years fol- atics, distribution, evolution, diversity, mimicry, lowing Hurricane Andrew, it was feared that the and conservation. In an era when many major butterfly may have become extinct as no verified museums across the country are scaling down sightings were recorded. Fortunately, the butter- and placing less emphasis on collections and cura- fly was rediscovered on 29 Nov 1999 as part of a torial staff, the McGuire Center has planned for small population of less than 100 individuals the future. The 3 floors of collections space can ac- within the boundaries of Bahia Honda State Park commodate expansion to some 23 million speci- in the Lower Florida Keys. The resulting low

142 Florida Entomologist 91(1) March 2008

numbers and population vulnerability make the connect directly with species and habitats in need Miami blue one of the most critically imperiled in- while helping to inform their visitor base. sects in the nation and prompted the Florida Fish BFCI is a national coalition of 43 accredited and Wildlife Conservation Commission to list the zoos and aquariums and 7 partner organizations: taxon as state-endangered in 2003. The resulting the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, U.S. Fish recovery effort rapidly evolved into a large-scale, and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Federa- model cooperative program to help conserve the tion, Environmental Defense, McGuire Center for butterfly through captive propagation, organism Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Xerces Society and reintroduction, public education, and scientific re- the North American Pollinator Protection Cam- search. Paramount to the effort was the develop- paign. Together, BFCI is dedicated to the conser- ment of a stakeholder group composed of repre- vation of threatened, endangered, and vulnerable sentatives from numerous interested Florida North American butterflies and the habitats that agencies and organizations. Collectively, this sustain them, with a focus on recovery, research, group (known as the Miami Blue Working Group) and education. It works closely with the McGuire was charged with helping to direct current and fu- Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, the Flor- ture recovery actions, identifying priority areas of ida Museum of Natural History and the Univer- research, and most importantly providing an open sity of Florida, striving to empower its members forum for dispute resolution. The Miami Blue and partners to work individually and collabora- Working Group has proven particularly effective tively to affect butterfly conservation and offer op- at fostering a suitable venue for open member di- portunities for engagement suitable to diverse in- alogue, addressing potential areas of stakeholder terests and strengths. conflict in a preemptive manner, identifying critical regulatory issues, and facilitating cooperative ECOTOURISM and timely problem resolution. With assistance from the Florida Department of Agriculture and In cooperation with the Department of Ento- Consumer Services and the Florida Coordinating mology and Nematology (IFAS, UF), the Center is Council on Mosquito Control, the Miami Blue striving to become a leader in the emerging field of Working Group resulted in direct stakeholder re- ecotourism. The Butterfly Rainforest, a 6,400- search partnership development and participa- square-foot, 65-foot tall, steel and screen exhibit tion—channeling previous discordant associa- featuring some 2000 free-flying butterflies, is a tions into productive cooperative conservation ef- key visual element of the center and the main pub- forts. This positive outcome supports the notion lic attendance draw. But the Butterfly Rainforest that an increase in the diversity of stakeholder is much more than a typical exhibit—it is a true contributors and scientific participation benefits living outdoor laboratory and campus resource the overall implementation and acceptance of re- that has been utilized by students and researchers covery plans and their implementation. alike for classes such as ornamental horticulture, Additional conservation partnerships and pro- insect conservation, animal behavior, ecology, ani- grams were catalyzed with the arrival of the But- mal physiology, zoology, sociology, architecture, terfly Conservation Initiative (BFCI) to the and education. Two M.S. students working on but- McGuire Center this past May. The Butterfly Con- terfly behavior have even completed the majority servation Initiative (BFCI) was established in of their thesis research within the Butterfly Rain- 2001 as a result of conversations between the As- forest facility. The Center is additionally working sociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and U.S. with several butterfly farming operations to assist Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Partnerships with habitat restoration, land acquisition, organ- and Outreach. At that time, it was recognized ism research, and research station development in that many AZA zoos and aquariums, particularly Florida, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. smaller facilities, were actively seeking opportunities to contribute to North American conserva- PUBLIC AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS tion efforts. By demonstrating their commitment to local wildlife, these institutions could position Public understanding of science and engage- themselves as community conservation leaders. ment in science-oriented activities in general is Similarly, as leaders in conservation education, critical to conservation and quite essential to an zoos and aquariums provide a powerful venue for institution of higher education. To accommodate connecting millions of people with nature. Butter- broad entry levels and engagement opportunities, fly conservation and recovery offer a unique op- educational programs at the McGuire Center are portunity for zoos and aquariums of all sizes to extensive and diverse. They range from docent- participate in field conservation in a meaningful led tours and faculty seminars to interactive ex- way. Hands-on efforts, including habitat restora- hibits and hands-on discovery carts showcasing tion and creation, native plant propagation, cap- living organisms. The Center’s main exhibit hall tive rearing, education and outreach, and popula- offers numerous opportunities for visitors to learn tion monitoring, offer participants a chance to the basics about Lepidoptera and witness first-

Pioneer Lecture 143 hand the tremendous worldwide diversity of this tribution, and host-plant preferences. WINGS is a popular insect order. Visitors can also view the field- and web-based Student and Scientist Part- collection spaces and research laboratories nership (SSP) that targets adolescents in grades through large glass windows in the public galler- 4-8, especially females. WINGS participants mon- ies (Fig. 2a-c). This unique perspective highlights itor butterflies in gardens and natural areas, and the diversity of the Center’s faculty and students, conduct regular surveys of the species visiting and helps make science fun and accessible to the them. They enter this information into an online public. Outside the Center, visitors can enjoy the database linked to an interactive web site where Florida Wildflower and Butterfly Garden, a land- other participants, the public, and UF scientists scape dedicated to Florida butterflies and the na- can access the information. Scientists use the da- tive plants that attract and support them. Exhibit tabase to obtain quantitative and qualitative in- panels provide information on life cycles, host and formation to answer basic research questions. nectar plants, and resources for visitors to create Likewise, WINGS participants are encouraged to their own backyard butterfly habitat. use the information to formulate their own ques- Several outreach education projects provide in- tions about butterfly biodiversity, and carry out novative, hands-on opportunities for youth to additional experiments to answer those questions. learn about and actively participate in scientific Adult science programs are highlighted by the research. Project Butterfly WINGS: Winning In- Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network (FBMN). vestigative Network for Great Science fosters ado- The FBMN (www.flbutterflies.net) is a field- and lescent interest, understanding, and long-term in- web-based citizen science initiative developed by volvement in science through authentic, hands-on, the University of Florida and Disney’s Animal collaborative research with McGuire and other UF Programs. It has led to synergistic partnerships scientists investigating butterfly biodiversity, dis- with several American Zoo and Aquarium Associ-

Fig. 2. Visitors to the McGuire Center have an intimate view into research laboratories and collections. (a) A University of Florida student discusses her research; (b) Collections Manager Dr. Andrei Sourakov actively pins new material in the Specimen Preparation Area; (c) Butterﬂy Conservation Initiative coordinator Stephanie Sanchez explains endangered species propagation in the Special Projects Lab.

144 Florida Entomologist 91(1) March 2008

ation (AZA) member institutions in Florida, in- terflies in the region. The project will provide re- cluding Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Miami Metro- sources, such as specimen databases, species lists Zoo/Zoological Society of Florida, Lowry Park Zoo, and images, conduct training courses for students Brevard Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo, and Central Flor- in Andean countries, and develop and publish a ida Zoological Gardens, as well as the Florida Nat- strategy for butterfly research and conservation ural Areas Inventory, Florida Fish and Wildlife in the tropical Andean region. Conservation Commission’s Office of Recreational In addition to science and education, the Services, the Butterfly Conservation Initiative McGuires have an equally strong devotion to cul- (www.butterflyrecovey.org) and various conserva- ture and the arts. This is an especially passionate tion land area units (Florida DEP, Division of pursuit for Nadine McGuire, who has served on Parks and Recreation). The primary field research many national and regional museum and theatri- initiative involves the regular monitoring of but- cal boards, including the Kennedy Center in terflies using Pollard transect methods on select Washington, D.C. Their joint interest in the prom- conservation land areas throughout Florida to ise of UF’s Theatre and Dance program in the Col- generate accurate and current distribution infor- lege of Fine Arts resulted in a $2.5 million gift mation and population trend data for both com- to that college to establish the new Nadine M. mon and imperiled species. Regular monitoring is McGuire Pavilion of Theatre and Dance, and to carried out by citizen scientists in cooperation also completely renovate the Constans Theater with AZA-member institution or conservation facility as part of that $10 million project in 2004. land area staff members and University of Florida In her capacity as President of the McGuire Fam- researchers. The program involves classroom and ily Foundation and as Bill’s close partner, she has field training of citizen scientists (adult volun- had equal responsibility for the major influence teers, age 18 and older), zoological institutions that their Foundation has already generated, dis- staff members, and state and federal land manag- persing over $50 million in 2005 alone to carefully ers and biologists. The data generated on common selected philanthropic causes across the U.S. and imperiled species’ distribution and popula- The McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and tion trends are intended to be a resource for scien- Biodiversity is a world-class research and educa- tists, private or government wildlife conservation tion facility. It showcases the tremendous vision agencies, and land managers that can be utilized of Dr. William and Nadine McGuire, and demon- to better inform recovery or management actions. strates convincingly how philanthropy, avocation, Additionally, participating institutions/land areas and science can seamlessly blend to create great will have the opportunity to use the information benefit for nature and humankind alike. With the gathered for public education programs and inter- pioneering work of the McGuires in so many ar- pretive exhibits thereby further enhancing the eas and especially entomology, it is fitting that public’s awareness of both the participating zoo’s this distinguished and accomplished couple be existing commitment to butterfly conservation ef- recognized by the 2007 Pioneer Award. forts and the overall conservation issues themselves. From 2005 to Jul 15, 2006, participation in REFERENCES CITED training and field monitoring included more than 126 AZA staff, 314 public participant volunteers, AUSTIN, G. T. AND W. W. MCGUIRE. 1998. Description of 46 training events, and some 21 sites surveys (116 a new subspecies of Hesperia comma (Linnaeus) individual surveys or training surveys). (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Nevada. Pp. 481- To better support the above-mentioned pro- 486 In T. C. Emmel [ed.], Systematics of Western grams, the Center is in the process of developing North American Butterflies. Mariposa Press, a series of printed and web-based educational ma- Gainesville, FL. terials. These include informative brochures and KENDALL, R. O., AND W. W. MCGUIRE. 1975. Larval foodplants for twenty-one species of skippers (Lepi- booklets on Florida butterflies, with an emphasis doptera: Hesperiidae) from Mexico. Bulletin of the on wildlife viewing, gardening and conservation. Allyn Museum No. 27: 1-7. MCGUIRE, W. W. 1982a. New oviposition and larval PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT hostplant records for North American Hesperia (Rhopalocera: Hesperiidae). Bulletin of the Allyn Professional development and student train- Museum No. 72:1-6. ing is a critical area of need as well. The first in- MCGUIRE, W. W. 1982b. Notes on the genus Hesperia in ternational planning meeting of the Tropical An- Texas: temporal and spatial relationships. Bulletin dean Butterfly Diversity Project (TABDP) was of the Allyn Museum No. 73: 1-21. MCGUIRE, W. W. 1998. Descriptions of three new sub- held at the McGuire Center in Apr 2006. It is a species of Hesperia (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from three-year project funded by the United King- the Western United States. Pp. 461-474 In T. C. Em- dom’s Darwin Initiative. The project’s goals are to mel [ed.], Systematics of Western North American establish a foundation for future research on but- Butterflies. Mariposa Press, Gainesville, FL.