A Mission Worth Saving
By Jessica Yepez
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An astonishing insect that stands out due to its beautiful light blue colored wings is the Mission Blue Butterfly. It is only found in the San Francisco Bay Area (Weinberg, 2011). The Mission Blue Butterfly may only be the size of a quarter (Bay Area National Parks, 2017) and some may say that a butterfly that only lives a week can’t do much but that is where they are wrong. The Mission Blue Butterfly is a very important insect that is very much worth saving. The Mission Blue Butterfly offers many ecological, economic values and provides great biodiversity to its surrounding habitat. Without the Mission Blue Butterfly it will impact everyone and everything even if it might not be noticeable at first glance. When the caterpillar of the Mission Blue Butterfly becomes large they produce honeydew which is “sugary caterpillar pee” (Save Mount Sutro Forest,2010). Native ants eat the honeydew in exchange the native ants will protect it from predators (Save Mount Sutro Forest,2010).
For the ants the honey dew provides a food source. The caterpillar and the ant will rely on each other and have a Mutualism relationship without one another it will very much hurt the ants that rely so heavily on it. Without the Mission Blue Butterfly it could cause the collapse of its surrounding ecosystem which is very harmful to anything that depends on it ultimately causing a domino affect. In order to save the Mission Blue Butterfly, habitat restoration would need to take place by taking out all the non-native plants (Janiskee, 2009) that are taking over the Mission Blue Butterflies only food source that the larvae eat which are the lupines (Golden Gate National National Parks Conservancy, 2016). We would also get rid of many walking trails that cross right on top of the Mission Blue Butterflies habitat. Also create more of a control of main non-native predators that eat it such wasps (Golden Gate National National Parks Conservancy, 2016) .
A stop must be put to an end to any future development that might occur on the Mission Blue Butterflies habitat if we really want to see the Mission Blue Butterfly strive. Many species depend on the Mission Blue Butterfly as their meal such as birds, small rodents and dominant insects (Carolyn, 2010) without the Mission Blue the food web loses a large piece of itself causing it to become off balanced and eventually collapse because the species that was once dependent on the Mission Blue Butterfly can no longer be it must force itself to find a new food source which can become very difficult.
Hundreds of thousands of mission blues once populated the West Bay's windy hilltops for that reason we must work hard to restore those numbers back again (Carolyn,2010)This majestic insect needs to be saved. It is worth saving it so that future generations may enjoy this beautiful insect after all it is a symbol to the city of San Francisco. If actions are not taken to save this species it will not only become extinct in the San Francisco Bay Area but it will become extinct in the whole world.
By: Grace Hazel
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So you may ask, is it worth saving the Mission Blue Butterfly or can we do without it? The answer is, yes this small, beautiful blue butterfly is worth saving. Everyday this small species plays a huge role in the world around us. Although many may believe these little insects are not as important as others, this is simply not true. From environmental to economic benefits this butterfly covers it all. So the question shouldn't be, should I save this animal, it should be, what can I do to help?
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Our environment on earth is very complex and every little species has its own job that is offers to this amazing world. Butterflies big job is pollinating. Mission Blue butterflies increase biodiversity as well as provide for the survival of many plants. This butterfly spends most of its time pollinating Lupin. What's amazing about this Lupin is that we use it everyday to survive. It is an excellent source of protein as well as dietary fiber to many animals. Lupin seeds are great for humans and they have amazing cholesterol lowering properties, contributing hugely to cardiovascular health (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1984). From this one little butterfly we are able to benefit from what it does in so many different ways. Although you may think that butterflies don't really help other animals you love, think again. Many of the animals you love, the birds flying the skies, reptiles scurrying around, and insects buzzing freely eat the Mission Blue adults as well as caterpillars, and therefore keep these wonderful animals alive (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1984). These blue butterfly are also wonderful indicators for a healthy environment and therefore can save their homes and everyone living in them (Butterfly Conservation).
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Mission Blue butterflies are incredibly important in the science world as well. These butterflies are a very important group of model organisms used to investigate many areas of biological research such as: diverse fields of navigation, pest control, mimicry, evolution, genetics, biodiversity, etc. (Butterfly Conservation). The small population of Mission Blue butterflies left live in parts of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area as well as Twin Peaks and San Bruno Mountain. These recreation areas are visited everyday by thousands of tourist. Many of these tourist come to see the beautiful and endangered butterflies. Tourist pay money in order to get into these wonderful protected areas. Imagine if the Mission Blue butterflies went extinct? Who would come and pay money to see these beautiful peaceful places? (Butterfly Conservation)
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After hearing reasons why this wonderful species needs to be saved, you may be wondering well how can we save the Mission Blue butterflies. There isn't just one answer. In order to save this species we need to have a larger budget, this budget will allow more Lupines to be planted and monitored in preservations Mission Blues live. A bigger budget will also open up the possibility to have more research done with science of the butterflies, and shed some light on how we can help the population rate to increase. There needs to be more education taking place, especially for landowners who are living on the land of this endangered species. As well as more education occuring in the national parks such as, Golden Gate National Park. More signs telling people the alarming truth that Mission Blue butterflies could become extinct. Park rangers need to add information about the Mission Blue butterflies into there lesson plans. There needs to be stricter laws to prevent pesticide use on Lupin, to prevent butterflies being harmed from that and a control of non-natives and invasive species that are taking over the Mission Blue butterflies.
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Individually you can spread awareness by making a brochure, presentations that you can show your local community. You can spread awareness on social media, for example a twitter movement saying #SaveMissionBlue. People can start a petition to protect the habitat and furth development. People can volunteer in places that pull invasive species out of habitat or grow Lupin, like the Mission Blue Butterfly Project. Fundraising can also be done, to help add money to be able to make take better care of the Mission Blue butterflies there is left. Although there may be an overwhelming amount to do in order to protect these small but wonderful creatures, they are worth it. When asked if the Mission Blue butterflies are worth saving, the answer should be simple, yes.
Authors' Opinions
Crissy Field on a foggy day an area in the Bay Area in which the Mission Blue Butterflies roam.
Marin Headlines with the Golden Gate bridge peaking through the fog surrounded with green scenery.
Fog rolling down and creating a blanket on the Marin Headlines on a late afternoon.
Crissy Fields home to a verity of different species of Butterflies with rich Biodiversity.