MBBRP - Initial Field Assessment

[Anne Kilmer]

Mark Walker wrote:

> Sorry for the cross posts, but I want to make sure this is well distributed.
> 

This is a fine post; just a point or two I'd like to add or subtract.
Dave is indeed wonderful, and will be working closely with many 
butterfly fanciers; I hope he will be able to persuade different 
factions to pool their efforts rather than wasting time on who loves the 
baby best.


>  
> 
> On May 5th, shortly after agreeing to help coordinate the efforts of the 
> scientific arm of the Miami Blue Butterfly Restoration Project (MBBRP), 
> I posted an announcement for an Initial Field Assessment (see 
> attachment).  This first phase (focusing on the Upper and Lower Florida 
> Keys) would depend largely on the field work of David Fine, an 
> entomologist and research assistant from South Florida who is also a 
> master butterfly rearer for Butterfly World (the well known butterfly 
> house located outside Ft. Lauderdale).  We would also rely heavily on 
> the expertise of a number of respected entomological advisors.
> 
>  snip



> 
> Habitat Assessment and Hostplant Availability
> 
>  
> 
> While there are many documented species of hostplant, it would appear 
> that the butterfly's two best opportunities for survival in the Florida 
> Keys are through its association with the exotic Cardiospermum 
> halicacabum, [Balloon Vine]  a dainty climbing vine which used to be found more commonly 
> in disturbed areas and on edges of hammocks; and with Caesalpinia 
> bonduc, [Nickerbean] a sturdy coastal strand and hammock dweller that particularly 
> excels in sheltered dune habitat where there are shrubs that it can 
> exploit for support. 
> 

According to Roger Hammer, per Dr. Robert Kelley, the Cardiospermum in 
the Keys is C. corindum, which is said to be native. Both Cardiospermums 
were planted in South America by Native Americans, used medicinally and 
as a potherb, and C. halicacabum is also found in the South Pacific.
Like most garden plants, there are many cultivars and so you find a 
great deal of variability. John Calhoun tells us that the Miami Blue 
prefers large-fruited balloon vines.
While, as John points out in another posting, there has been no direct 
effort at removal of this vine, people do have a prejudice against 
vines, whether weedy-looking or thorny, and in attempts to clean up 
public and private lands, they remove the vines so that shrubs and trees 
will flourish.


> 

much good stuff snipped

 
>
>
>  
> 
> Research Permits
> 
>  
> 
> Part of the recommended strategy outlined in our proposal included the 
> request for research permits in the various protected locations that may 
> harbor healthy populations of the butterfly and/or one of its 
> foodplants.  Permits were officially requested from the State of Florida 
> some number of weeks ago, but these permit applications requested the 
> right to potentially remove individuals from the protected sites.  After 
> soliciting information from leading entomologists, the State of Florida 
> declined the permits on the grounds that not enough information had been 
> obtained to guarantee that the removal of females would not be 
> detrimental to the survival of the colony.  The MBBRP Science 
> organization agrees with this decision, and regrets that the original 
> permit applications requested the right to remove individuals from 
> protected habitats.  On the other hand, such permissions may ultimately 
> be required.  Obtaining authorization once for all foreseeable research 
> activities seems prudent.
> 
>  
> 
> In actuality, the above request for permits would have gone more easily 
> had we followed the recommendations made by John Calhoun at the onset of 
> the project.  John strongly suggested that a formal letter be sent to 
> the State of Florida describing the organization and its agenda.  Had 
> this been done, we would surely have been able to secure the confidence 
> necessary to gain state approval.  This was a costly mistake.
> 
>  

But ... we did send such a letter to Fish and Wildlife. TILS sent a 
formal one, and I sent one as a private citizen.
Did we need to send these letters to all governmental agencies involved?


> 
> Contact has since been made with Florida's leading entomologists in an 
> attempt to promote our organization and its agenda.  Permit requests are 
> being revisited.  Weekly trips into the field will continue, as will the 
> collection of data.  When appropriate, a recommendation will be presented.
> 
>  
> 
> Mark Walker
> 
> Science Coordinator
> 
> Miami Blue Butterfly Restoration Project
> 
>  

I have every confidence that under the leadership of Mark Walker and 
David Fine, with Bob Parcelles' wise guidance, the MBBRP will continue 
to gather friends and helpers. I trust that the NABA people will be 
willing to work with us harmoniously and that we can all focus on saving 
the butterfly. I am horrified that, after all the research, and the 
communication with local and state government, the spraying of mosquito 
adulticides continues unabated.
I realize that there is a problem with dengue fever (Aedes aegypti 
mosquitoes are the vector) as well as West Nile, but adulticides have 
not been found effective against these problems. They just keep the 
tourists happy.
Peace, and may all your blues be butterflies
Anne Kilmer
Mayo, Ireland and South Florida


 
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