[leps-talk] Miami Blue

[Anne Kilmer]

John Calhoun wrote:

> There have been questions regarding the reasons for the decline of Cyclargus
> thomasi bethunebakeri (Miami Blue) in Florida. I think our paper covers the
> potential reasons for the decline, to the best of our knowledge.  They were
> also summarized in the USFWS 90 finding for the petition to list the Miami
> Blue as endangered (Federal Register, 67(2):280-282). There doesn't seem to
> be any one factor, but perhaps a number of variables acting together
> (decrease in hosts, potential impact of mosquito spraying, hurricanes,
> etc.).
> 
> Although there is a popular belief to the contrary, there is NO organized
> effort by the state or federal authorities to remove balloon-vine
> (Cardiospermum) from the Keys or anywhere else in Florida.  It is not deemed
> common enough to be a problem.  It is usually incidentally removed during
> habitat restoration.  It grows in disturbed or peripheral areas which are
> usually the first to receive attention during such projects.
> 
> By the way, I am no longer formally affiliated with any particular Miami
> Blue "restoration" group, but am willing to support any valid efforts.  I
> don't think any one group or individual has the right to consider themselves
> more worthy or important than another.  The ridiculous political posturing
> and feuding is counterproductive and results in a loss of credibility for
> all parties concerned.  In the meantime, a rare endemic subspecies still
> awaits productive attention.
> 
> John Calhoun
> 
> 
> I agree, as I have been agreeing all along.

We all need to work together to save the Miami Blue butterfly. I see no 
reason there should be any conflict or dissension.
The Blues don't care who was there first or whose idea it was. They 
would like not to be trampled, I'm sure, and we need somehow to protect 
their host plants.
Bob Parcelles is in the hospital, and I'd like to strengthen him and 
restore him with the information that the Project is going well, and 
that we are all pulling together. No more turf wars; we are in agreement.

Somehow, we need to get the word to Keys and Miami landscapers that the 
Balloon Vine they have is a native, and essential to the Miami Blue's 
habitat. "Routine cleanup" shouldn't be happening, where balloon vine is 
growing. If it is trimmed, we need to go through the seed pods and 
rescue caterpillars before discarding trimmings.
Somehow, we need to distribute seeds to the many people eager to plant them.
We need to arrange for captive breeding, as John Calhoun and Mark 
Salvato recommended in their paper. The local butterfly breeders are 
eager to start working on that, as soon as they have permission from 
Fish and Wildlife. John, you can help get that permission. It is just 
not safe, to have the last known colony trampled by uninformed 
well-wishers. I don't understand why this has been delayed.
We need to protect the site where the last colonies are holding out. Bob 
Kelley is already working on that, and if money will help, Bob, let us 
know and we'll see what can be done.
We need to educate the park workers, the local gardeners and the 
landscapers. NABA and IBBA can work together, using web pages, lectures, 
  word of mouth, distributing John Calhoun's identification sheet, 
getting  publicity from local newspapers.
Instead of negative publicity, let's have them report on what we are 
doing to help. Let us present ourselves as a united front; not two armed 
camps of "watchers" and "amateur butterfly collectors" but people who 
love butterflies and care about the environment.
People need to be careful, but they don't know where or how to be 
careful. Photographers are often careless about where they put their 
feet. Let's get some sort of supervision out there, and involve watchers 
and others in a general concern for the larvae, not just the flying 
butterflies.
One watcher, I am told, actually killed a butterfly, while trying to 
photograph it. It's not just collectors that kill bugs.

Let's rally Keys neighborhoods that might be suitable habitat for the 
Miami Blue, and get the kids out checking for Balloon Vine ... but let's 
protect the known site, for Heaven's sake. This is a situation that 
shouldn't have been allowed to develop, and that must not continue.
I see no reason for name-calling and blaming people. Nobody cares whose 
fault this is. Let's just fix it.
As a long-term NABA member, I call on fellow NABA members to join 
together with collectors, breeders and all interests to save the Miami 
Blue Butterfly.
Anne Kilmer
Task Force Director
Miami Blue Butterfly Restoration Project




 
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