Schaus’ Swallowtail Butterfly Survey and Status in 2011
Photo by Jaret Daniels Species Information
. Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus. One of five subspecies that occur from Florida, Bahamas, Cuba and Hispaniola . Large blackish-brown swallowtail butterfly with contrasting markings that are mostly dull yellow. Photo by Tom Emmel . Wingspan is 8.6 to 9.5 cm. . Most easily confused with the larger giant swallowtail which is widespread in the eastern North America. Species Information . Schaus’ habitat is tropical hardwood hammock. . Historically ranged from South Miami to Lower Matecumbe Key. . Present day distribution is restricted to Biscayne National Park and north Key Photo by Jaret Daniels Largo. May still occur along Biscayne Bay in south Miami. . There is only one generation of Schaus per year and they only have a single annual flight season, primarily between May and June. . Evidence that diapause may extend for at least two years which could be important in cases of extreme drought.
Status . Federally Endangered Species (August 31, 1984) . State protected as an FE (Federally Endangered) under the new FWC listing protocol. . All federally endangered and threatened species in Florida are also included on Florida’s endangered and threatened species list. . Recent surveys by Minno, Salvato, and NABA found few Schaus butterflies . In the fall of 2010, the Imperiled Butterfly Workgroup (IBWG) decided an intensive survey was necessary.
Methods
. 7 May – 19 June 2011 . Surveys were conducted between 9:00am and 4:00pm . Surveyed Biscayne National Park and North Key Largo . 21 survey days at Biscayne National Park and 12 in North Key Largo . Deering Estate in Miami-Dade surveyed by FNAI and NABA volunteers . 52 individuals from government agencies, university and non- governmental organizations participated
Participating agencies and organizations
. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission . North American Butterfly Association . National Park Service/Biscayne National Park . Florida Park Service (DEP) . Eco-Cognizant . University of Florida, Gainesville . Florida Natural Areas Inventory . U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Study Areas Biscayne National Park
. Boca Chita Key . Elliot Key . Adams Key . Porgy Key . Meigs Key . Swan Key . Totten Key . Old Rhodes
Study Areas North Key Largo
. Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge . Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Botanical State Park . John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Results
. Thirty-five Schaus were recorded at Biscayne National Park . All were on Elliot Key and Adams Key
Results
. Most were on southern half of Elliot Key near Petrel Point . Native vegetation was mostly wilted due to the drought . Little to no flowering plants . Twelve other butterfly species recorded . Very few butterflies of any species outside of Elliot Key.
Results
. Backcountry keys were difficult to survey due to the lack of trails . Only portions of the Keys were surveyed . Some of the Keys only checked once. . Palo Alto Key in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was surveyed from Biscayne National Park
Results
. Six Schaus were recorded on north Key Largo . Four were in the Carysfort Marina and one in a residential area within Dagny Johnson State Park. . One unconfirmed sighting at the entrance to the Nike Missile Base Results
. None recorded at Port Bougainville at Dagny Johnson State Park. . None recorded at Pennekamp’s Coral Reef State Park’s Grove Trail and Wild Tamarind Trail Mosquito Control Implications
. Unknown if there is mosquito control at the Deering Estate in Miami-Dade County . No mosquito spraying at Biscayne National Park, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and State Parks . Ground spraying at Ocean Reef. Aerial spraying at Ocean Reef? Mosquito Control Implications
. “Inferences reflected in recovery criteria in the MSRP (South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan) are that the core resides on BNP because it is not sprayed, the north Key largo population is limited due to spray drift, and recolonization of other areas is precluded because of standard mosquito control practices in those areas.” (USFWS 2007) . The pesticides Dibrom, Baytex, and Teknar, used in the keys for mosquito control, are toxic to the giant swallowatil in the laboratory (Emmel 1986) Next Steps
. More surveys necessary to establish a trend . Perhaps increase the areas searched in Biscayne National Park and North Key Largo (off trails) . Conduct surveys when there is no drought
. Is research needed to Photo by Tom Emmel determine mosquito control impacts from drift? Questions?