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.

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 Center in Gainesville will be his to

 run and a new home to all of his work:

Florida to get Major Butterfly Center

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.

Read how one person can make a difference

in reversing the extermination of a species:

Science Daily

Dr. Emmel, the man and his missions

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

Walking with the Alligators

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Last edited January 23, 2010

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