A groundbreaking 35-year study has uncovered an unexpected alliance between one of the rarest butterflies in the United States and the powerful storms that sweep through its habitat. The endangered Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly, found only in South Florida, shows remarkable population growth in the years following hurricanes. The research, published in Biological Conservation, reveals how these storms create ideal conditions for the butterfly’s survival, despite initial devastating effects. “The trend of increased Schaus’ swallowtail populations after strong hurricanes was immediately apparent,” explains Sarah Steele Cabrera, lead author and doctoral candidate at the University of Florida. From Destruction to Revival The … Continue reading Hurricanes Surge Schaus’ Swallowtail Butterfly Population from Under 100 to Over 10,000