Fluttering Beauties

species in the region, including native species such as the Florida duskywing and Zestos skipper.

Perhaps because of south Florida's isolated geographic location and its proximity to the Caribbean Sea, the region also has the highest number of endemic butterfly species in the state.

It could also be due to south Florida's rapid population influx, hurricanes, high pesticide use or habitat fragmentation for construction purposes, according to the Imperiled Butterflies of South Florida Workgroup's official charter.

Local, state and federal agencies, the North American Butterfly Association and the University of Florida joined together to form the workgroup because of conservation and management issues surrounding the Miami blue.

The new workgroup was introduced in June and has had two meetings in the South Florida region, at which many members, educators, wildlife experts and the general public voiced their concerns for these fluttering beauties.

"It's something everyone can worry about, not just wildlife experts," said Mary Truglio, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist and committee member for the workgroup.

"Butterflies, as we all know, are at the bottom of the food chain, so if there's not enough of them out there, then what do the birds eat? What do the other animals eat?"

In an effort to protect those species which are highly threatened, the workgroup has attempted to increase or stabilize the imperiled butterflies and conserve their habitats.

At the meetings, the group splits into three subcommittees to hone in on certain issues: the Habitat Assessment and Management Committee, Outreach Education Committee and the Research Committee.

The next meeting will be in September most likely in Homestead, Truglio said.