Butterfly Enthusiasts Scramble to Save Near-Extinct Species

By Phillip Davis

Published January 13, 2003 at 12:00 AM EST

In Florida, coastal development and pesticide spraying push a butterfly called the "Miami Blue" to near extinction. An ad-hoc coalition hopes to save the insect, even though the federal government has declined to put it on the endangered species list. NPR's Phillip Davis reports.

Phillip Davis

Correspondent Phillip Davis covers South Florida and beyond for NPR. He joined NPR in January 1993, and has reported on such topics as the Elian Gonzalez affair, the disputed 2000 presidential election, and the growing cultural diversity of South Florida. Davis has also filed reports from England, West Africa, and South America for NPR. His pieces can be heard on NPR's award-winning newsmagazines Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, and All Things Considered.

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