Fact: The Miami Blue is a small blue butterfly found only in Florida. It is one of the most critically endangered butterflies in the United States. (Source: University of Florida’s Florida Museum). Fact: The entire lifecycle, from egg to adult, lasts about a month, with the adult butterfly living for just a few days to a week. (Source: University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences). Fact: On Feb. 1, 2022, county Commissioner Raquel Regalado submitted a resolution to establish butterfly gardens on property owned by Florida Power & Light. (Source: Miami-Dade County Commission agenda, Item No. 2 (B)(3) Oct. 1, 2024.) That was Tuesday. Fact: Some 143 weeks have passed since the resolution was submitted to the commission. (Source: Elementary school arithmetic). So, in conclusion, Miami Blue butterflies die after spending only about a week airborne, small, bright blue flutterbys speckling the skies of a tiny portion of South Florida. Prior to their decline, the butterfly was commonly found in regions ranging from the Florida Keys up to the mainland, including coastal areas and barrier islands. Today, the only known wild populations can be found in the Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys. They occur on isolated islands and can be found along beaches. One could infer, then, that at least 143 generations (and counting) of Miami Blue butterflies were denied the possible largesse of Miami-Dade while Commissioner Regalado’s butterfly garden proposal got committed, and studied, and shuffled, and deferred. If the project stumbles forward, the county plans to have butterfly-enticing plants abundantly available. The report from the mayor’s office lists seven butterfly-friendly plants, from the legendary Locust berry to the flavorful Firebush. Fact: Miami Blue caterpillars favor Gray Nickerbean and Blackbead plants. As butterflies, the nectars of Spanish and shepherd’s needle plants are preferred. (Source: the University of Florida’s agricultural institute). Fact: All four plants thrive in South Florida (Source: The Institute for Regional Conservation). Plans for two butterfly gardens have been submitted along with the mayor’s report. No word on how many more generations of Miami Blue butterflies will come and go before a decision is made. Related Posts:Environmental groups sue National Park Service over…Four-way suit threatens Miami Wilds water park’s progressCounty looks to lakes filled with floating solar…$2.5 million film incentives package called far too smallMiami Wilds aim for a water park faces county showdownThe post Miami Blue butterflies may get FPL gardens appeared first on Miami Today.