RFI: releasing butterflies

[jh]

And do bear in mind also that NABA uses in their argument against releasing
commercially raised butterflies, the opinions of lepidopterists who can
support their position.

I always thought that children learn more if they seek out native species in
the wild, rear and release them.  This way they learn more about the
habitat, food needs and life cycle and they play a part in increasing the
survival rate by removing the caterpillars and chrysallis from the probing
ovipositors of parasitizing wasps.  AND this eliminates any concern about
introducing non regional species.  It's also way more fun!

While this may not be feasible if all you want to rear are Painted Ladies,
there are many other species that can be found along the edges of most
school yards - butterflies and moths.

Just another perspective...

John
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John Himmelman
Killingworth, CT
jhimmel at mindspring.com
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NEW THIS FALL!  "Discovering Moths, Nighttime Jewels in Your Own Yard"
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____________________________

  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu]On Behalf Of Liz Swanson/Graceful
WIngs
  Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 5:02 PM
  To: gswilly at hotmail.com
  Cc: ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu
  Subject: Re: RFI: releasing butterflies


  Glenn in response to your concern about releasing butterflies........

  Most of the opposition statements on releases are from the North American
Butterfly Assoc. web site.

  Below are some POSITIVE :-)  responses to concerns about releases from the
IBBA (International Butterfly Breeders Assoc.) There is much more info
available with opinions from experts listed on the IBBA's web site under
Butterfly Release- Why it's OK.   www.butterflybreeders.org

  Liz Swanson


  Many elementary school students raise and release butterflies as part of
their science education program. This is a magnificent introduction into the
wonders of nature for the small children. The release of butterflies at
funerals, weddings and other events is a very worthwhile, spiritual and
emotional experience.

  The release of butterflies at special events increases public awareness of
the magnificence of this insect. Hopefully, people will become involved in
putting a stop to the unbridled destruction of butterfly habitat, the
indiscriminate use of insecticides and they will develop a desire to modify
their landscape to include larva host plants and nectar plants. Butterflies
are the ambassadors of goodwill for the insect world.

  Commercial butterfly breeders are meticulous in the raising, packaging and
shipping of live butterflies so they arrive healthy and vigorous. They're
not shipped at inappropriate times of the year. The USDA and the State
Departments of Agriculture will not permit butterflies to be shipped and
released in areas they do not normally occur. Butterfly farmers adhere to
USDA permitting regulations and ship butterflies interstate for release to
the environment ONLY where they occur naturally.

  There is no scientific data that commercially raised butterflies spread
diseases and epidemics to native butterfly populations. To the contrary,
commercial butterfly breeders must be meticulous to prevent the spread of
diseases from the wild population to their butterfly stock. If this happens,
their stock will be completely wiped out and they will have no butterflies
to release.

  In the last 32 years, Insect Lore has shipped out over 8 million Painted
Lady larvae; and Monarch Watch Program has shipped 250,000 Monarch larvae in
the last 8 years. No damage to local butterfly populations nor to the
environment has been reported to have occurred as a result of this livestock
being sold, raised and released.










  Glenn Williams wrote:

    I am currently raising a few Painted Ladies, as is my daughter's
kindergarten class.  Could someone direct me to an article or source for
information on the danger of releasing these after they have become adults.
I remember reading something about this but I can't recall the details.  I
thought it had to do with their hard-wired migratory and navigational
ability.  I would like to be able to explain why these buterflies should not
be released if it is indeed wrong to do so.

    Glenn Williams
    Mystic, CT


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