Action timeline

June 15, 2000 – The North American Butterfly Association petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Miami blue under the Endangered Species Act on an emergency basis. The Service found that listing “may be warranted.” Under the Act, the Service was required to issue a listing determination by June 2001.

August 29, 2001 – The Center and two other environmental organizations reached an agreement with the Service to expedite the protection of 29 species, including the Miami blue, under the Endangered Species Act.

June 2, 2005 – The Service failed to grant the Miami blue endangered status under the Endangered Species Act, claiming that listing was “warranted but precluded.” The Center challenged this determination by filing a notice of intent to sue.

January 11, 2011 – After the recent discovery that the Miami blue butterfly had disappeared from Bahia Honda State Park, the Center filed a petition seeking emergency protection to stop the species' extinction.

April 13, 2011 – The Center filed a formal notice of intent to sue the Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to provide emergency Endangered Species Act protection to the butterfly.

July 12, 2011 – The Center reached a landmark agreement with the Fish and Wildlife Service compelling the agency to move forward in the protection process for 757 species, including the Miami blue butterfly.

August 9, 2011 – The Service issued an emergency order protecting the Miami blue butterfly under the Endangered Species Act.


Photo by Jaret C. Daniels, McGuire Center for Lepidotera Biodiversity