First Mission Blue adults emerge on Twin Peaks...

We are in our fourth year of bolstering the small population of the endangered Mission Blue ( I. i. missionensis) butterfly on Twin Peaks in San Francisco. The butterfly is actually named such because Twin Peaks used to be considered part of the Mission District when it was collected by Pierre Lorquin during the Gold Rush. When the creature was named to the Endangered Species List in 1976, the Recovery Plan eluded to the disjunct population at Twin Peaks (as opposed to the larger metapopulations in the Marin Headlands and San Bruno Mountain to the south) as "probably needing to be augmented with individuals somewhere down the road." That "somewhere" happened in 2009, when I ran into David Kelley from Fish & Wildlife (during the survey of another endangered: Lange's Metalmark) who was in charge of the six endangered butterflies in the Bay Area. I brought him to the table of Lisa Wayne at SF Rec & Park.
Restoration of invertebrates has not been done much in the US. Most of the studies and reintroductions have happened in Europe. It takes a commitment by all parties of a multiple-year commitment. We've tried to moved 40 females and 20 males each year from San Bruno Mountain ( the natural corridor has become urbanized) - permitted by US F & W - but last year we fell way below that. Larvae were surveyed...up until today...on Twin Peaks, when the three adult males where observed. Three weeks earlier than last year's emergence: hope they stick around for some girls.

Posted on 22 de março de 2013, 01:48 AM by robberfly robberfly

Observações

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Descrição

First one I've seen of this monitoring season.
I'm on the US Fish & Wildlife permit to relocate some of these this season from San Bruno Mountain (San Mateo Co.) to Twin Peaks (San Francisco Co.)

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Março 5, 2013 11:03 AM PST

Descrição

Observed here on Twin Peaks for the first time

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Março 2013

Descrição

First adults of the surveying season !!!!
This is a male. Females emerge later

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 2013

Descrição

Three males on Mission Ridge. We cut back the non-native grasses away from the lupines
to make it easier for females to find.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 6, 2013 10:21 AM PDT

Descrição

The colors were spectacular! A spectrum of peaches to yellows to orange to cadmium red.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 2013

Descrição

Endemic to this mountain.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 6, 2013 12:33 PM PDT

Descrição

Probably being used as one of the hosts here for the Euphydryas chalcedona population.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 9, 2013 12:11 PM PDT

Descrição

My favorite butterfly. Finally saw them on the wing between two Mission Blue sites.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 2013

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 12, 2013 11:32 AM PDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 12, 2013 12:40 PM PDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

robberfly

Data

Abril 12, 2013 01:05 PM PDT

Comentários

Nenhum comentário ainda.

Adicionar um Comentário

Iniciar Sessão ou Registar-se to add comments