Butterflies in manicured suburban habitats

[Ron Gatrelle]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Cherubini" <monarch at saber.net>


> Ron wrote:
>
> > I bet a lot of people in the Keys area who want to see
> > the cute little blue protected are unknowingly killing them
> > off by making sure the ugly Balloon Vine stays off their
> > yard's fence, golf course, highway right of way, and any
> > where else that might ugly up the renowned manicured look
> > most of south Florida loves.
>
> I agree Ron, in regard to the Miami Blue. Some other kinds of
> butterflies, however, manage to do fine in manicured suburban
> landscapes. Below, for example, are some photos I took a few
> weeks ago (Dec. 26) at the famous monarch overwintering site
> in Pacific Grove, California.
>

And I agree Paul.  I am posting this because 90% of Paul's post was beyond
the one simple (but profound) statement he made.  So to make sure everyone
heard him, he said _he agreed_ with _a principle_.   And that is that there
are many taxa that require special habitats and have unique sensitivities.
Paul, like many here who have one area of interest or expertise, tends to
go back to or stay on that area.  His is the Monarch - a hardy species well
adapted to survival - it makes the most out of what it has.   And that I
agree with Paul on.

Ron Gatrelle

PS  The Atala does real well in urban manicured areas too - as long as the
property owners allow the Atala larva to ravage their coontie.  In fact
some leps do so well in human altered environs (Corn Earworm) we have to
find ways to keep them in check - right Paul.


 
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