USFWS sets Timeline to Protect
Seven Imperiled Swallowtail Butterflies
on Three Continents
Conservation Groups Reach Agreement after Initiating a Lawsuit

For immediate release (September 1, 2004)
Contacts: Peter Galvin, Center for Biological Diversity; 707-986-7805
Scott Hoffman Black, Xerces Society; 503-534-2706

PORTLAND, OR - The Center for Biological Diversity and the Xerces Society yesterday reached an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on a timeline to protect seven foreign swallowtail butterfly species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Specifically, the FWS has agreed to make a final decision as to whether or not these butterflies warrant threatened or endangered status under the ESA. The FWS must make this ruling by November 30, 2004.

On January 10, 1994, the FWS received a petition to list seven foreign swallowtail butterfly species as threatened or endangered under the ESA. On May 10, 1994, the FWS made a ninety-day finding and announced:

"The petition to add seven kinds of foreign butterflies to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife has presented substantial information indicating that the action may be warranted. A status review of these butterflies, together with 20 others that may be of similar concern, is initiated."

Despite the fact that the ESA mandates that the FWS act to determine if these species are indeed endangered within nine months of the ninety-day finding, it has been ten years since FWS initiated the process.

"We are pleased that the FWS has finally agreed to act on these species," said Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society. "We look forward to helping the agency develop a plan to protect these stunningly beautiful butterflies."

These butterflies are facing a one-two-three punch. In most cases, their habitat has been destroyed or severely degraded. Road-building is closely tied with this habitat destruction, and has resulted in easier access for collectors. Many of these butterflies are prized by collectors and command high prices on the open market. Protection of these butterflies under the ESA will put in place regulations that will not allow the import of specimens into the United States and may help spread awareness about the plight of these butterflies and lead to conservation activities within their home countries.

"These rare and magnificent swallowtail butterflies are jewels of nature," said Peter Galvin, Conservation Director for the Center for Biological Diversity. "We owe it to our grandchildren and to their grandchildren to make sure these creatures aren't driven to extinction."

For more information on these butterflies go to http://www.xerces.org/Endangered/Swallowtails/Endangered_Swallowtail_Agreement.htm.

The following butterflies are included in this agreement:

Harris' Mimic Swallowtail (Eurytides lysithous harrisianus) has been eliminated by habitat destruction from all but one known site in southeastern Brazil, which itself is now threatened by development.

Fluminense Swallowtail (Parides ascanius) is jeopardized by the drainage and development of its subcoastal swamp habitat near Rio de Janeiro.

Hahnel's Amazonian Swallowtail (Parides hahneli) is restricted to a few areas of sandy riverbank along tributaries of the Amazon in central Brazil and may be threatened by over collection.

Jamaican Kite (Eurytides marcellinus) is threatened with extinction due to its limited range, restricted distribution of its food plant, and intense agricultural development near Kingston, Jamaica.

Southern Tailed Birdwing (Troides [Ornithoptera] meridionalis) is endangered by the logging of its natural habitat and the uncontrolled development of plantations in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Oaxacan Swallowtail (Papilio esperanza) is one of Mexico's rarest butterflies. It is known only from one site in the cloud forest of Oaxaca, Mexico, and is vulnerable to over collection.

The Kaiser-I-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis imperatrix) is a very rare, stunning swallowtail known from Nepal to southern Myanmar. It is threatened by over collecting and rapid destruction of the high elevation forests upon which it depends.

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