08/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/05/2024 14:19
DENVER - Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list both subspecies of the regal fritillary, a large butterfly, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Based on a review of the best available science, the Service is proposing to list the eastern regal fritillary (Argynnis idalia idalia) as endangered, and the western regal fritillary (Argynnis idalia occidentalis) as threatened with an accompanying 4(d) rule. The proposed rule is now available in the Reading Roomfor public inspection and will be posted in the Federal Registertomorrow, opening a 60-day public period through October 7, 2024. This recommendation is informed by an independently peer-reviewed Species Status Assessment.
In collaboration with the Service, Fort Indiantown Gap has developed a Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) to formalize its commitment to conserve the eastern regal fritillary. The agreement, finalized in February 2024, will be appended to the installation's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, which identifies key natural resources and the actions needed to manage them.
In May 2024, the Service, Fort Indiantown Gap, and Temple University received more than $1 million from the Department of the Army to help implement the actions identified in the CCA, including managing habitat, developing a long-term monitoring protocol for the existing population, and establishing a new population in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The status assessment found the western subspecies is not in immediate danger of extinction but is likely to be in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future due to these primary threats: habitat loss, grassland conversion resulting from agricultural and urban development, pesticide use, invasive plants, climate change, drought, local climate events, and collection to mention some.
In addition, the Service is proposing an accompanying 4(d) rulefor the western subspecies under the ESA to allow for tailored landscape management actions to balance conservation and land management considerations. The proposed rule recognizes the vital role of grazing practices in maintaining grassland ecosystems. As a result, the proposed 4(d) for the western regal fritillary would exempt most activities associated with livestock grazing from incidental take, so ranchers would not need approval from the Service to continue those activities. For a complete list of those exemptions, please see the 4(d) rule.
How to submit comments
Comments on the proposal may be submitted during the 60-day public comment period, August 6 through October 7, 2024, through one of the following methods: