Large butterfly may become extinct
Published: Aug. 14, 2007 at 2:25 PM
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The Homerus swallowtail is the Western Hemisphere’s largest butterfly and U.S. scientists said it's threatened with extinction.
University of Florida researchers said the butterfly's numbers are so small that conservation and captive breeding efforts are needed to save the insect, which is found only in Jamaica.
University of Florida scientists said they are the first to estimate the population found in a nearly inaccessible western Jamaica area. Graduate student Matt Lehnert said he found about 50 adults there.
The good news is the population was larger than expected, said Professor Tom Emmel, Lehnert's adviser.
"From a conservation standpoint, it shows there’s more than one viable population left for this magnificent swallowtail," said Emmel. But, he added, the population isn’t large enough to withstand illegal collection or rampant development.
With a 6-inch wingspan, only a few butterflies in the world are bigger. The largest is Papua New Guinea’s Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, which has a 14-inch wingspan.
Although few people live in the rugged Cockpit Country, Jamaican deforestation and bauxite mining could destroy the butterfly’s remaining habitat, said Lehnert.
The study was published in The Journal of Insect Conservation.
University of Florida researchers said the butterfly's numbers are so small that conservation and captive breeding efforts are needed to save the insect, which is found only in Jamaica.
University of Florida scientists said they are the first to estimate the population found in a nearly inaccessible western Jamaica area. Graduate student Matt Lehnert said he found about 50 adults there.
The good news is the population was larger than expected, said Professor Tom Emmel, Lehnert's adviser.
"From a conservation standpoint, it shows there’s more than one viable population left for this magnificent swallowtail," said Emmel. But, he added, the population isn’t large enough to withstand illegal collection or rampant development.
With a 6-inch wingspan, only a few butterflies in the world are bigger. The largest is Papua New Guinea’s Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, which has a 14-inch wingspan.
Although few people live in the rugged Cockpit Country, Jamaican deforestation and bauxite mining could destroy the butterfly’s remaining habitat, said Lehnert.
The study was published in The Journal of Insect Conservation.
© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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