Reports
Kedron Elementary
Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly
| My report is about the Schaus swallowtail butterfly. It feeds
on wild tamarind, cheese, shrubs, and nectar from blossoms of guava. It was
listed 20 years ago as threatened. The swallowtail butterfly was among the first insects protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Habitat loss brought this southern Florida subspecies to the brink of extinction in 1987 when it was reclassified to the more serious status of endangered. A recent release of captive-bred butterflies into protected habitat provides hope that recovery of the swallowtail may be in sight. The Florida Park Service and th4e FWS now protect much of the northern Key Largo. With habitat protection in place, the focus of recovery efforts shifted to the butterfly itself. In 1992 the butterflies' population increased 2 years later to over 600 individuals. This beautiful, dark brown and yellow butterfly breeds once a year. It emerges from its pupal from between late April and the end of June. |
Dutch - Nederlandse vertaling volgt z.s.m. |
Written by / geschreven door : Kelly |
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Copyright 1997, 2000 - Joan Goble and René de Vries
