NABA proposes policy that could harm nearly 1,000,000 Painted Ladies

[Paul Cherubini]

The following appeared in the current copy of American Butterflies 
published by NABA:

"We urge you to write the USDA and make the following points:
The proposed regulations can not adequately meet the needs of 
scientists interested in tracking migratory movements of Painted 
and/or American Ladies. At the least, the USDA should require 
small color dots on farmed butterflies intended for release, so 
that butterfliers can recognize individuals in the field as far
animals, not wild butterflies."

HOW  COULD 1,000,000 PAINTED LADIES BE HARMED? :  
Each year Insect Lore, a California based Painted Lady breeding 
operation supplies schools, brides, grooms, widows and widowers
with nearly 1,000,000 Painted Lady caterpillars or chrysalids. When
the adult Painted Ladies emerge, they are released without ever having 
to forcibly handle or manipulate the butterflies in anyway. For example,
in the case of wedding and funeral releases, each Painted Lady adult 
is packaged in its own little box that springs open after a securing 
string is removed.

Now if brides, widowers and school children are required to forcibly 
hold down a fragile and struggling Painted Lady, while trying to paint 
colored dots on them, the risk of butterfly injury is obviously going 
to be high.

NABA's proposed colored dot marking policy appears to contradict
it's website mission statement:  "NABA, a non-profit organization,
is working to promote the public enjoyment and conservation of 
butterflies."

Paul Cherubini

 
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