Links & Research

This page provides links to online resources of interest to South Florida butterfly watchers. See The Book List for recommended printed publications.

Recordings of CHAPTER QUARTERLY MEETINGS

2024 Q4 November 3rd – Susan Kolterman gave her presentation “Observations of Schaus’ Swallowtail and other Rare Butterflies of the Upper Keys.” Click here to view her presentation.

2024 Q3 August 4th – Dennis J Olle gave his presentation “Rare / Endangered Butterflies of South Florida.” Click here to view the one hour and four minute presentation.

2024 Q1 and Q2 presentation recordings are unavailable.

2023 Q4 December 3rd – Dr. Jaret C Daniels gave his presentation on “At-Risk Butterfly Conservation and Recovery Efforts in Florida and Beyond.” Click here to view the presentation.

2023 Q2 May 7th – Dr. Andy Davis PhD gave his presentation on “Monarch butterflies in Florida – the good, the bad and the ugly (truths).” Click here to view the recording on YouTube

2023 Q1 February 5th – Daniela Champney gave her presentation on “Planting Pine Rockland plants to help save this ecosystem and attract pollinators.”

2022 Q4 November – Paola Olaya Arenas gave her presentation on “Consequences of field-realistic pesticide exposure for monarch development.” Click here to view the recording on YouTube.

2022 Q3 August 7th – Barbara Lynn McAdam gave her presentation on “Shade Plus Food for the Butterflies“

2022 Q2 May 1st – Kimberly Heise gave her presentation on “Painting Southeast Florida’s Native Plants.“

2022 Q1 February 6th – Dr. Jaret Daniels gave his presentation on “Monarchs in Florida.”

2021 Q4 November 7th – Sarah Steele Cabrera gave her presentation on “An update on the Miami Blue butterfly project and preliminary results from the Schaus’ Swallowtail population genetics project.” Click here to view the recording.

2021 Q3 August 1st – Andee Naccarato gave her presentation on “Here, There, or Everywhere? Comparing butterfly species diversity in butterfly gardens and nearby natural areas in Naples, Florida.”

2021 Q2 May 2nd – Dr. Robert McElderry’s presentation “Host specificity, life history, & seasonality of North American leafwings” : https://youtu.be/DMROt9ILEGE

2021 Q1 February 7th – Dr. Tyson Wepprich’s presentation “Insect Declines Make Headlines, But What Do We Really Know?” : https://youtu.be/IL6_QOcTq3c

2020 Q4 November 1st – Marianna Trevino-Wright’s presentation “The Butterflies and Plants along the Texas-Mexico Border” : https://youtu.be/ABasWOZBXyE

CHAPTER NEWSLETTERS

E-news Archives. 2014-2019. This page provides links to older newsletters.

Articles about INSECT DECLINE

“How Roundup Affects Pollinators and May Cause Cancer” a ConsumerNotice.org article by: Terry Turner, last modified on Tuesday April 16, 2024.

“Meet the Miami tiger beetle, the 15,000th species in Nat Geo’s Photo Ark” a National Geographic article by: Rachel Fobar on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

“Efforts to Save Endangered Blue Butterfly Quadruples its Population–but Also Saves a Lupine from Extinction” a GoodNews article by: Andy Corbley on Monday, November 28, 2022.

“Four-way suit threatens Miami Wilds water park’s progress” a Miami Today article by: Gabriela Henriquez Stoikow on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

“Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to push the agency to protect endangered Florida bonneted bats“, a Center for Biological Diversity press release, Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

“‘Extinct and Endangered: Insects in Peril’ Review: Breathtaking Bugs“, a WSJ article by William Meyers, Saturday July 23, 2022.

“Miami Blue Chapter comment letter to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service re Tiger Beetle critical habitat designation“, Thursday December 23, 2021.

“Tiger Beetle designation menaces Zoo Miami and Miami Wilds“, a Miami Today article by , Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

“To Learn Bees’ Secrets, Count Them One by One“, By Oliver Whang in The New York Times, October 18, 2021

“LED streetlights decimating moth numbers in England“, by Damian Carrington in The Guardian, August 25, 2021

Petition: List Monarch Butterflies as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act, a OneGreenPlanet article by: Shelby Hettler

“Butterflies are in decline — and that could have dire consequences for life on Earth” , by Entomologist Josef H. Reichholf. SALON article by Matthew Rozsa June 22, 2021 

“Saving the Butterfly Forest“, by Carolyn Kormann. The New Yorker (February 15 & 22, 2021).
Environmental destruction and violence threaten one of the world’s most extraordinary insect migrations, the Monarch.

Insect Decline in the Anthropocene: Death by 1000 Cuts, by David L. Wagner, et. al. PNAS, v. 118, no. 2 (January 2021)

“Monarch Butterfly Population Moves Closer to Extinction,” by Olga R. Rodriguez. AP NEWS, January 2021.

Fire & Butterflies: Insights from a Natural Disaster, by Matt Shipman. NC State University News, 2020. The effects of fire and hurricanes, Irma in particular, upon Miami Blues and Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreaks.

Articles about MONARCHS

“Florida Native Plant Society Position on Monarchs and Milkweeds” A policy statement was prepared by the Florida Native Plant Society’s Science Committee and is endorsed by the Florida Wildflower Foundation and the Florida Association of Native Nurseries. Published Thursday, May 9, 2024 by the: FNPS

The researchers leveraged data collected by the North American Butterfly Association’s annual butterfly counts, analyzing more than 135,000 monarch observations at 403 sites, from locations that had data spanning at least a 10-year period between 1993 and 2018.

“Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count Tallies Nearly 250,000 Butterflies“, a Xerces Society article, By Isis Howard and Emma Pelton, Monday, January 24, 2022.

“Monarch butterfly numbers are up this year at Mexico’s largest sanctuary“, a Mexico News Daily article, published on Friday, December 17, 2021.

“California Monarch butterflies may be thriving after years of decline. Is it a comeback?” The Guardian article by Gabrielle Canon, Sunday November 21, 2021

“New Citizen-Science Project Explores Little-Known Behavior in Monarch Butterflies“, An Entomology Today article By Leslie Mertz, Ph.D., July 27, 2021

“Florida’s ‘cesspool’ of parasites may hurt monarch migration“, A Miami Herald article by Krishna Sharma, July 4, 2021.

“The Navigational System of the Butterfly“, an article on the Monarch published and in the library of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, jw.org, November 2008.

Articles about BUTTERFLIES

Genes that shift butterfly wing colors identified: Cornell researchers have identified three genes responsible for changing the color of common buckeye butterfly wings, depending on what time of year the egg hatches and larvae develop. A Cornell Chronical article by: Krishna Ramanujan, published on November 9, 2020.

In a Brutal Summer, Miracles Still Bloom. A New York Times opinion article by: Margaret Renkl.  Margaret speaks on where she has come to rely on this deeply interdependent cycle of: vine, leaf, flower, bee, butterfly, caterpillar, fruit, hungry wildlife in her garden, in spite of the record heat and lack of rain. Published on Monday September 9, 2024.

The Behren’s silverspot butterfly might become a more common sight. A  Ariana Bindman

An icon of anthropogenic extinction: Xerces Blue butterfly genome sequenced A Phys.org paper published by Spanish National Research Council, Thursday July 13, 2023.

Biologists find what colors a butterfly’s world; A Phys.org paper published by University of California, Irvine, Thursday August 10, 2023.

The Evolutionary History of Butterflies “A global phylogeny of butterflies reveals their evolutionary history, ancestral hosts and biogeographic origins“, an article posted on nature.com/nature ecology & evolution, published Monday May 15, 2023.

“Rare fossils reveal the butterfly ‘tree of life’ over the past 100 million years“, a CNN Space + Science article by Ashley Strickland, Wednesday May 17, 2023.

“Butterflies originated in North America after splitting from moths, new study suggests“, an npr.org article by on Tuesday,

“Bees and butterflies have trouble smelling flowers in polluted air“, Researchers have found that diesel exhaust and ozone make it difficult for pollinators to find flowers, reducing plant-production rates. a Popular Science article by  , Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

“Endangered Butterflies in a Changing Climate“, Risks and Challenges Facing the Miami Blue Butterfly in the Florida Keys, a Florida Museum – Online Exhibits.

“Climate change behind unprecedented increase in butterfly species appearing in South Texas, experts say“, a KXAN Article, Mission, Texas by Sandra Sanchez / Border Report, Thursday, January 6, 2022.

“See Microscopic Butterfly Wing Scales Materialize Inside of a Chrysalis“, a Smithsonian Magazine article by Elizabeth Gamillo, Thursday, December 9, 2021.

“The Pipevine Swallowtails” The life cycle of the Pipevine Swallowtail, by the S&K Wildflower Rescue Nursery, Mondy, November 29, 2021.

“Keeping The Butterflies Alive” A National Geographic, Planet Possible article by Robert Kunzig, Tuesday, November 23, 2021. 

“Florida volunteers see record numbers of endangered Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly” a Florida Museum article by  

“First US Case of Human-Led Insect Extinction Confirmed by DNA From 93-Year-Old Butterfly“, A SciTechDaily article by Corrie Moreau & Felix Grewe, August 06, 2021.

“Florida Butterfly Movement“, a NABA Initiative, Florida’s native butterflies need your help. Over 160 species breed in our state, creating a stunning display of biodiversity, but their populations are declining. By taking action to restore their habitats, we can save the butterflies—and keep wonder alive.

“Statira New Host Plant” by Adam Skowronski, published in American Butterflies, Winter 2020

“A real-life butterfly effect: How weather in Africa drives butterfly bursts in Europe” , A Vox article by Benji Jones, June 25, 2021

“Scientists See the Invisible: How Butterflies Make Transparent Wings” by Marine Biological Laboratory, June 17, 2021

“Wing Clap Solves the Mystery of Butterfly Flight,” by Matt McGrath. BBC News, January 2021.

“Butterfly Color Diversity Due to Female Preferences.” Stockholm University, 2020.

Diverse Nanostructures Underlie Thin Ultra-black Scales in Butterflies. Nature Communications, 2020.

Here’s How Butterfly Wings Keep Cool in the Sun. Science News for Students, 2020. Butterflies thrive in South Florida’s torrid heat. Here’s how White M Hairstreaks, for example, avoid overheating, and why that matters.

Articles about ARTS AND CULTURE

Entire Alphabet Found in the Wing Patterns of Butterflies. My Modern Met, 2013. A photographer finds familiar patterns in butterfly wings.

Articles about BUTTERFLY GARDENING AND ECOLOGY

“Polluted Flowers Smell Less Sweet to Pollinators” The research, involving primroses and hawk moths, suggests that air pollution could be interfering with plant reproduction. A New York Times article by: Emily Anthes on Friday, February 16th, 2024. Click here to read the article.

“Imperiled Butterflies of South Florida”, Do you live in the Miami area and want to help our local imperiled butterflies? If so, we have teamed up with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens Connect to Protect Network to develop this Miami specific plant guide to help you. These are all native, low maintenance plants that are important host plant and/or nectar sources for our local species of butterflies. Butterflies need plants and we need you to make these choices for your property to help them survive and thrive. Click HERE to download a PDF of the Plant Guide. by: Frank Ridgley DVM, Zoo/Wildlife Veterinarian for Zoo Miami’s Conservation & Research Department.

“Why You Should Plant a Garden That’s Wasp Friendly“, Those wasps you hate? They’re the best organic pest control around. Here’s how to keep them happy (and avoid getting stung). a New York Times article by Margaret Roach, April 13, 2022. 

“Butterflies drink more than nectar—here’s how to turn your yard into an oasis“, a Popular Science article, by Kristine Nemec, September 3, 2021

“Designing Your Garden,” by Linda Lawrence Waldron. Coral Gables Garden Club, 2020.

Nonnative Plants Reduce Population Growth of an Insectivorous Bird. PNAS, 2018. The abundance of bird food (caterpillars and spiders) declines when yards are landscaped with exotic plants instead of natives. Although the insect-eating birds in this study, Carolina Chickadees, rarely venture into southeast Florida, this applies to our back yard birds as well.

Why Allotments Offer Urban Oases for Bees and Butterflies. The Conversation, July 15, 2020. Allotments being city parks and other public green spaces.

Articles about PEOPLE

“Butterflying while Being Black.” American Butterflies, v. 28, no 3 (Fall 2020). Miami Blue member Jaeson Clayborn and Broward Chapter member Pat Rossi write about their experiences as butterfliers who are also people-of-color.

“We Are NABA: Jaeson Clayborn,” interview by Mike Cerbone. American Butterfies, v. 28, no 2 (Summer 2020). Jaeson Clayborn is Past President of the Miami Blue Chapter.

PODCASTS

“Butterflies have hearts in their wings. You won’t believe where they have eyes.” Short Wave podcast, 12 minute listen. NPR, October 2020.

VIDEOS

“The Atala Butterfly Lifecycle“, A video presentation on the Atala Lifecycle by Dennis Mayo, November 2021.

“Complete Caterpillar Anatomy: See It All” This video was created to give a detailed picture of all that is going on inside a butterfly caterpillar. The hero of the video is the larva of the Brazilian skipper butterfly. The skin is transparent so you can see all of the organs and guts fully functioning as the caterpillar goes about its business. 

“Zebra Longwing: Life In Corky Stem Passion Vine” The Zebra Longwing Butterfly’s life in the host plant, Corkystem Passion Vine, by Robert Kraft, Saturday, November 27, 2021, now on YouTube.

“Wildlife Wednesday Zebra Longwing Butterfly“, This free educational video is a public service announcement brought to you by Broward County Parks and Recreation, Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

Butterfly Blueprints. PBS Nova, 2022.
Explore how the scientific study of butterflies is leading to technological innovations.

Creating Pollinator Pathways in the Built Environment, by Dr. Jaret Daniels. Florida Wildlife Foundation, 2020.
Recorded webinar, 60 minutes. Dr. Daniels shares the important role that our growing human-dominated spaces can play in sustaining native wildlife populations.

Miami Blue Butterflies. 2018.
Once common throughout coastal southern Florida, the Miami blue butterfly now ranks among North America’s rarest insects. … The only remaining wild populations of Miami blues live in the Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges.

Natives for your Neighborhood Webinar, by George D. Gann. Institute for Regional Conservation, 2020.
The first Weekly Conservation Conversation, hosted by The Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC), held a webinar all about using our free online resource, “Natives For Your Neighborhood” (NFYN). The webinar was held and recorded through Zoom on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

WEB SITES

ORGANIZATIONS

North American Butterfly Association (NABA) — Morristown, New Jersey
NABA’s mission; links to NABA chapter web sites; butterfly counts and databases; the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas; and more. “Butterflies I’ve Seen” (BIS) is a way for you to keep your butterfly lists.

Atala Chapter of NABA — West Palm Beach County
Programs, activities, counts, gardening, and butterfly locations in Palm Beach County.

Broward Chapter of NABA — Broward County
Programs, activities, counts, and gardening in Broward County.

Imperiled Butterflies of South Florida Workgroup
Inter-organizational collaboration of government agencies, parks managers, and NABA chapters working to conserve imperiled butterfly species. Includes numerous useful butterfly links.

BUTTERFLY GARDENS, GARDENING, AND PLANTS

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden — Coral Gables, Florida
Garden events, festivals, activities, local and international programs, educational offerings, and art exhibits. Be sure to visit the butterfly garden and the butterfly observatory on your next visit.

Florida Native Plant Society — Miami-Dade County Chapter
Miami-Dade and Monroe County activities, field trips, projects, and information on native plants and growers. NABA Miami Blue Chapter and FNPS Tillandsia Chapter periodically offer joint field trips.

IRC Natives for your Neighborhood — Miami, Florida
Native plant lists for southeast Florida. Extensive illustrated information on species of native plants, from trees to the tiniest spurges.

Coral Gables Garden Club — Coral Gables, Florida
Dedicated to educating our members, our youth, and the public in gardening, horticulture, environmental issues, community beautification and the art of floral design.

BUTTERFLY MUSEUMS

Butterfly Rainforest at the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera — Gainesville, Florida
Butterfly “aviary,” exhibits, collections, expeditions, plant sales, visitor information, etc. A must-see place with the world’s largest butterfly specimen collection.

BUTTERFLY INFORMATION

Butterflies of North America — Montana State University
Searchable database of verified butterfly and moth records in the United States and Mexico.

Bugguide.net
Clearinghouse of insect information, including identification assistance.