Miami Blue Update
by Dennis J Olle
August 31, 2005

An abbreviated version of this essay, “Reintroducing Miami Blues,” appeared in American Butterflies, v. 13: number 3 (Fall 2005).

Since the state of Florida designated the Miami Blue (Hemiargus thomasi bethunebakeri) to be an endangered species in November 2002, the restoration efforts with respect to that butterfly  has been proceeding apace; however, recently there have been some noteworthy “bumps” (discussed below).  Beginning in the latter half of 2003 the propagation program of the Miami Blue at the University of Florida, under the auspices of Dr. Jaret Daniels, appears to have been initially successful, at least with respect to propagation (through March 2005): 24 generations, and over 20,000 viable pupae and almost 13,000 viable adults.  Of course, transferring this success in the lab to that in the field is, at best, problematic.

The initial reintroductions during the “wet season” (May-Oct) of 2004 was limited to one site in Biscayne National Park (Elliott Key) and more than a half dozen sites in Everglades National Park, in the Flamingo area.  These introductions were limited to caterpillars, and in a few cases, pregnant adults.  There are extensive stands of Gray Nickerbean in both locations.  A limited number of adults were seen at various sites in follow-up surveys in 2004.

More recently, in 2005 developments (or lack thereof) in the field have not been as encouraging:

As of this writing, releases have not been re-commenced in the 2005 wet season; the first is expected to occur in September.

The Florida Keys Mosquito Control (“FKMCD”) has successfully stalled any efforts for the restoration of the Miami Blue throughout the Florida Keys (Monroe County) which has been accomplished through the commencement of an action against the State of Florida and the University of Florida, et al.  While no injunction has been granted in the action, for all practical purposes, the FKMCD appears to have gotten its way as the State has refused to proceed with any re-introduction in the Keys.

Notwithstanding, the initial propagation successes we have learned that there is an insufficient number of larvae available to re-commence timely 2004-type releases into the wild.  Surprisingly, despite these limited numbers, the staff of the Florida Wildlife & Conservation Commission (FWC) has elected to commence a pesticide study subjecting captive-raised Miami Blues, in various life stages, to mosquito spray (adulticide). We assume that the conclusion following the sacrifice of these rare creatures is foregone:  Diabrome (the adulticide used by several Florida mosquito control districts including FKMCD) is deleterious (deadly) to all life stages of the Miami Blue.  Query: why a reasonably genetically similar cohort, e.g. Ceraunus Blue, cannot be used in lieu of testing even a limited number of these rare creatures?

Discoveries of New Colonies
of Miami Blues
by Paula Cannon

Miami Blue
Hemiargus thomasi
Photo by David L Lysinger

Gray Nickerbean
Caesalpinia bonduc
Photo by David L Lysinger

Gray Nickerbean
Caesalpinia bonduc
Patch on Bear Lake Trail,
Everglades National Park
Photo by David L Lysinger

Back to Conservation

A meeting of the Florida Council of Mosquito Control is scheduled for September 20, 2005.  We can only hope that meeting holds the prospect of the beginning of a workable solution to the reintroduction in the Florida Keys, specifically the State-owned properties in and throughout the Keys.  A number of these publicly-owned, nature sites were identified early on, but the aforementioned litigation by FKMCD has stopped the reintroduction efforts in the keys.  It is noteworthy that earlier this summer the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a 60-day notice of its intent to sue the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to have the Miami Blue listed as a federally-endangered species.  You may recall that in June 2000 NABA petitioned the USFWS to so list the Miami Blue.  At the time of this writing, the CBD has taken no legal action in this regard.

Hurricane Dennis brushed the Lower Keys on July 8, 2005 as it headed north.  There was some significant vegetative damage to the ocean-side of the wild population habitat at Bahia Honda State Park; however, in a subsequent NAB “July 4th” count, Mark & Holly Salvato found over 80 of flying Miami Blues.  At the time of this writing it is unclear as to the effect Hurricane Katrina had upon the Miami Blues of Bahia Honda, although initial reports indicate that appropriate habitat remains and we can assume that Miami Blues are still flying in the wild.  Nevertheless, these recent acts of nature only emphasize the precariousness of this last remaining wild population of Miami Blues.

NABA’s Miami Chapter (Miami-Dade County) continues to have a presence in the field as the efforts of reintroduction are put into effect.  It is our firm belief that these efforts represent a significant milestone not only for the Miami Blue, but also as a “blueprint” (for good or ill) to further our future efforts on behalf of South Florida’s imperiled (but legally unprotected) butterfly species.