Butterfly releases vs NABA counts

[Matthew Smith]

Message text written by INTERNET:Ian at dunlinclose.freeserve.co.uk
>As a Brit I am puzzled as to why permits are issued for the release of
such
common species as monarchs....(snip).... It is not unknown of course for
some
breeders occasionally to release an exotic species, but I think the numbers
are low and survival rates negligibe<

Is that low numbers of breeders, or low numbers of exotic species?   :-). 
Unfortunately, it does happen, someone once showed me a live Actias selene
they had found flying around a lampost in the local town, whether it had
escaped or perhaps had been set free with the aim of allowing the larvae to
devour the local rhododendrons I dont know .

The UK Wildlife & Countryside act now makes it illegal to release (or allow
to escape) non-native insects in the UK.  Not that the local constabulary
get too much training in wildlife identification these days, what with all
the spending cuts.   On the other hand, imagine the scenario  "Excuse me
sir, did you just drop that Papilio glaucus over there.  I'll have to ask
you to accompany me to the station".


Matt