Conservation and management of the endangered Smith's blue butterfly, Euphilotes enoptes smithi (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Abstract

Euphilotes enoptes smithi (Mattoni), commonly known as the Smith's blue butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), was among the first insects to be officially recognized as endangered species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. At the time of its listing in 1976, little was known about the distribution, ecology, and life history of smithL Since 1977, I have intensively studied two pollUlations at Fort Ord, a U.S. Anny base near Monterey, California, using a combination of capture-recapture, life table and stagefrequency analysis techniques. Results of these studies are reviewed and preliminary management policies are discussed .