A Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly
Photo credit: FWS
The Endangered Butterflies of Florida
Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly
Papilio aristodemus ponceanus
Following its discovery in 1911 by Dr. William Schaus,
this Butterfly whose habitat is a microcosm in the
Upper Florida Keys became first Threatened in 1977
and then Federally Endangered in 1984.
The cumulative affect of habitat elimination due to
construction,
insecticide spraying meant for mosquitoes and
overzealous
collectors nearly ended this beauty's story before it began.
A Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly
Photo credit: Dr. Emmel UF Zoology
Then in 1992 Hurricane Andrew devastated not only South
Florida,
but nearly erased the Schaus Butterfly from the Planet,
leaving less than 20 of them.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of UF Zoologist
Dr. Thomas Emmel and his students, it is
making a miraculous comeback, unheard of
normally in such nearly hopeless situations.
This new Butterfly Center in Gainesville will be his
to run and a new home for all of his work:
Florida to get Major Butterfly Center
Read how one person can make a difference
in reversing the extermination of a species:
Science Daily
Dr.
Emmel, the man and his missions
A Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly
Photo credit: Dr. Emmel UF Zoology
If you love Butterflies, please take your children
and yourself to the UF Natural History Museum.
This world class Museum is all free except for the
Butterfly Rainforest, a wonderland filled
with living Butterflies of every description.
The walls in the free section are covered with so many,
that it could take you hours to see all of them.
Florida Butterfly Fest
September 18-20 2015 in Gainesville at the wondrous
University of Florida Museum of Natural History.
You must see this place at least once in your life.
The Butterfly Rainforest
Places to learn more:
Cornell
Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly
EDF
Safe
Harbor Agreement
Schaus
Swallowtail Butterfly
FNAI
Butterfly
Gallery
NWF
Surviving on a Wing and a Prayer
New York Times
New Butterfly Center goes to Gainesville
USFWS
Golf Resort becomes Safe Harbor
PDF:
Facts Schaus
2001 News Release - Trees Planted
UF
Schaus
Swallowtail Butterfly
The Schaus Swallowtail
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