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Book

The last butterflies : a scientist's quest to save a rare and vanishing creature

Call Number

  • 595.789 H126 (CEN)

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Publication Information

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [2019]

Physical Description

xii, 250 pages, 16 pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 23 cm

Summary

Most of us have heard of such popular butterflies as the Monarch or Painted Lady. But what about the Fender's Blue? or the St. Francis' Satyr? because of their extreme rarity, these butterflies are not well-known, yet they are remarkable species with important lessons to teach us. This book spotlights the rarest of these creatures - some numbering no more than what can be held in one hand. Drawing from his own first-hand experiences, the author explores the challenges of tracking these vanishing butterflies, why they are disappearing, and why they are worth saving. he also provides startling insights into the effects of human activity and environmental change on the planet's biodiversity. Weaving a vivid and personal narrative with ideas from ecology and conservation, the author illustrates the race against time to reverse the decline of six butterfly species. Many scientists mistakenly assume we fully understand butterflies' natural histories. Yet, as with the Large Blue in England, we too often know too little and the conservation consequences are dire. The author argues that a hands-off approach is not effective and that in many instances, like for the Fender's Blue and Bay Checkerspot, active and aggressive management is necessary. With deliberate conservation, rare butterflies can coexist with people, inhabit urban fringes, and, in the case of the St. Francis' Satyr, even reside on bomb ranges and military land. THe author shows that through the efforts to protect and restore butterflies, we might learn how to successfully confront conservation issues for all animals and plants.

Contents

  • A sliver of creation
  • pt. 1. The rarest butterflies. Bay checkerspot ; Fender's blue ; Crystal skipper ; Miami blue ; St. Francis' satyr ; Schaus' swallowtail
  • pt. 2. The flight path forward. The final flight of the British large blue ; Monarchs : the perils for abundant butterflies ; The last butterfly?

Subjects