In 2012, in a study conducted by … The Schaus' swallowtail is a large and colorful butterfly, see image above, that is endemic to South Florida. They are an extremely endangered species with only a few hundred individuals left. Continued research and management of these areas is essential to the survival of the Schaus swallowtail butterfly. Papilio aristodemus ponceanus, more popularly known as the Schaus swallowtail butterfly, was first described by William Schaus in 1911, when he found the species scattered amongst “tropical hardwood hammocks” ( in layman’s terms – any raised ground covered with trees) ranging from South Miami to Lower Matecumbe Key in the Florida Keys.. By the 1970s, the Schaus swallowtail survived only in Key Biscayne National Park and on the island of Key Largo. Schaus' swallowtail, Papilio aristodemus, is an endangered butterfly species of the family Papilionidae.It is named after a Miami physician, William Schaus, who discovered it in 1911. The Schaus swallowtail was listed as a federal threatened species on April 28, 1976. Butterfly populations are the most vigorous in areas where mosquito control pesticides are prohibited, such as Biscayne National Park. In 1976, it was one of the first insects to gain federal protection. In 1997, the butterfly reached an estimated population of 1,400 individuals. ... for a successful butterfly population is not known, though viable wild populations have been noted over a 14-year period in areas as small as 4 ha (T. Emmel, University of Florida, personal communication 1998). Endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly may be all but ... Wildlife Service spokesman Ken Warren pointed out that federal funding paid for the surveys that discovered the recent population … The Schaus swallowtail can be distinguished from the closely-related giant swallowtail 15 In the past, it ranged from the south Miami area down the Florida Keys to Lower Matecumbe Key. Schaus' swallowtail butterfly. Schaus' Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus Schaus) Wing span: 3 5/8 - 4 5/8 inches (9.2 - 11.8 cm) Identification: Upperside of forewing has narrow central yellow band. It was reclassified as a federal endangered species on August 31,1984, following several years of additional population declines. Today, Schaus’ Swallowtail is restricted to only a few remaining sites in the northern Florida Keys, making it one of the rarest butterflies in the U.S. and our only federally listed swallowtail. pesticides play a critical role in the survival of the Schaus swallowtail butterfly. Adults have black-brown wings with yellow markings, and there is a broad rust-colored area underneath the hind wing at the outer end of the discal cell and a short distance around the sides of the cell (see picture). They were collected when it was not known that collecting could damage butterfly populations.
Unfortunately, drought years followed, and the Schaus swallowtail population experienced a dramatic decline. The Schaus Swallowtail is a species of medium-size butterflies found in a very limited area in the United States. Droughts prevent the pupae from emerging out of dormant stage into adults. Darryl Fears. By 1984, the drastic reduction of this species’ habitat caused it to be upgraded to endangered. It was reclassified as a federal endangered species on August 31, 1984, following several years of additional population declines. The state listed the butterfly as an endangered species in 1975. The Schaus swallowtail was initially listed under the Endangered Species Act as "Threatened" in 1976 and then "Endangered" in 1984. South Florida Ecological Services Office 1 DRAFT February 19, 2004 Species Conservation Guidelines South Florida Schaus’ Swallowtail Butterfly The Species Conservation Guidelines for the Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides(=Papilio) aristodemus ponceanus) provides a tool to assist the user in determining if their project may adversely affect the Schaus’ swallowtail. Due to its limited range in the Florida Keys, a strong hurricane could wipe out the population. It was listed federally in 1984 when estimates showed only 70 or fewer adults remaining. The Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus) was listed as federally endangered in 1984, and until recently, was the only endangered butterfly in the U.S. This butterfly was originally described by William Schaus in 1911 from specimens collected in the south Miami area in 1898. The Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly Click on the picture below to hear the song "Butterfly Kisses" This page is dedicated in memory of Mrs. Texie Koeth for her dedication to teaching and animals. This butterfly, like all swallowtails, belongs to the family Papilionidae. Current population estimates range between 800 and 1200 individuals. Today, Schaus’ Swallowtail is restricted to only a few remaining sites in the northern Florida Keys, making it one of the rarest butterflies in the U.S. and our only federally listed swallowtail. The Schaus’ swallowtail population faces environmental threats in its limited range. Schaus’ swallowtail is a large black butterfly that can have a forewing length of up to 2.3 inches (5.8 centimeters). During the 2011 survey, there were 41 individuals counted - 35 in Biscayne National Park (mostly on Elliott Key) and six outside the park on north Key Largo.