wild release doesn't work?

[Pavulaan at aol.com]

Neil Jones wrote, with regard to breeding/release of butterflies, and whether
it works or not:

<< Practical experience here in  the UK shows that this doesn't work. >>

I've heard arguements against breeding/release, and that some of this has been
documented in the U.K.  However, we have a case here worthy of attention:

Eumaeus atala was once believed to be extirpated from southern Florida, in the
early 60's, I believe.  Though I don't have the facts, it is now folklore
about how certain COLLECTORS discovered a lone colony hanging on somewhere in
the Miami area.  The story has it that captive females were confined on host
cycads and offspring were bred and set free first near Miami international
airport, where suitable undisturbed habitat occurred, then various hammocks
throughout the area.  In about 30 years' time, as I understand it, the species
has increased in abundance, and has spread further throughout southern Florida
than ever known, and has even been reported to be a PEST in some places!    

This is the story.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong.  I believe it was not
documented because it was done outside beauraucratic/regulatory sanction.
Anybody down there have an update, or wish to expand on this?

Harry Pavulaan