Butterflies (3 spp.) and the F&WS

[Kondla, Norbert FOR:EX]

Thanks for sharing this news. Some observations and a question related to
the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly. For those who are wondering
what insect this name refers to; I think this is Euphydryas anicia
cloudcrofti. Further, the announcement refers to this butterfly as a
"species". I realize that in the twisted logic of legalese and bureaucratese
a subspecies is the same as a subspecies. But in the real world this is a
subspecies and not a species. I seem to recall some previous allegation of
over-collecting of this subspecies. My question is: can anyone share the
information from which this allegation was garnered ? I am curious if it has
any substance or if it is speculation, in whole or in part. Also I am
puzzled by the statement that vulnerability to local extinctions from
extreme weather events or catastrophic wildfire including fire suppression
activities is due to its limited range. It is my understanding that
virtually all organisms, even very widespread organisms, are subject to
local extinctions through a variety of natural causes and human activity.
But still, this butterfly does have a very small range and I do hope that
its habitat will be wisely managed to allow for its continued existence
until it has run its natural course in the evolutionary calendar. It is only
unfortunate that it seems necessary to consume so much time and money to
have a legal designation before some common-sense management practices can
be put into place. I would prefer to see scarce time and money going into
some practical actions to maintain the butterfly. And before anyone fires up
their flamethrower I will add that I admire the effort that goes into this
elaborate legalistic process by various people behind the scenes.  I know
that such undertakings run a tortuous path and the process is certainly not
intended to accomodate the impatient among us.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Quinn [mailto:Mike.Quinn at tpwd.state.tx.us]
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 10:21 AM
To: Leps-L (E-mail)
Subject: Butterflies (3 spp.) and the F&WS


-----Original Message-----
From: NEWS at fws.gov [mailto:NEWS at fws.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 1:03 PM
To: fws-news at lists.fws.gov
Subject: [fws-news] SERVICE, CONSERVATION GROUPS REACH AGREEMENT TO LIST
NEW SPECIES UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT


**************************************************************
This message is from the fws-news listserver. 
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Chris Tollefson 202-208-5634

     SERVICE,  CONSERVATION GROUPS REACH AGREEMENT
     TO  LIST NEW SPECIES UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

Interior Secretary Gale Norton today announced that the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service  and several conservation organizations have reached an
agreement in principle that will enable the Service to complete work on
evaluations of numerous species proposed for listing under the Endangered
Species Act.

Under this agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, Southern
Appalachian Biodiversity Project, California Native Plant Society, and the
Biodiversity Legal Foundation, the Service will issue final listing
decisions for 14 species and propose eight more species for listing. The
Service also will be able to take action on four citizen petitions to list
species under the Act.   The Service and the organizations have agreed to
extend deadlines for eight other critical habitat designations, thereby
making funds available for these actions.

<snips>

Carson wandering skipper (Nevada and California): Emergency Listing

This species of skipper butterfly, Pseudocopaeodes eunus, is the only one
in it genus.  It is found locally distributed in grassland habitats on
alkaline substrates in Nevada and California.  The skipper depends on
saltgrass communities with a freshwater source nearby to support nectar
sources.  This subspecies is threatened by habitat fragmentation,
degradation, and loss primarily due to agriculture, livestock grazing, and
urban development. Non-native plant invasion and impacts from proposed
water development projects which can alter local hydrology are also
threats.  The genus of skipper butterfly is believed to include five
subspecies: One of the subspecies, P. e. obscurus,  currently found in only
two populations, one in Washoe County, Nevada and the other in Lassen
County, California.  A third population of P.e. obscurus  known from Carson
City, Nevada is believed to have been extirpated from that site in recent
years.


Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly (New Mexico): Proposed Listing
Rule

The Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly is restricted to the
vicinity of  Cloudcroft in the Sacramento Mountains in Otero County, New
Mexico.  The species is threatened by destruction and fragmentation of
habitat from private and commercial development, habitat degradation and
loss of host plants from grazing, encroachment of conifers and non-native
vegetation into non- forested openings, over-collection, and, due to its
limited range, vulnerability to local extirpations from extreme weather
events or catastrophic wildfire including fire suppression activities.

Miami blue butterfly (Florida): 90-day Finding

The Miami blue is a small butterfly with bright blue forewings on both
sexes, a wide dark outer border on the forewing in females, and an
orange-capped eyespot on the hindwing.  This subspecies once occurred from
mainland peninsular Florida, as far north as Hillsborough and Volusia
counties, southward to south Florida and the Keys, including the Dry
Tortugas.

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