Scientists celebrate return of rare butterfly

updated 1:22 p.m. ET July 26, 2007

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. — Though the surfers, skaters and beachgoers might not notice the butterflies fluttering by, conservationists are celebrating the return of the endangered El Segundo blue to its native habitat along Santa Monica Bay.

The insects, with a wingspan of about an inch, are thriving in plain sight at beaches in Redondo Beach and Torrance after scientists nurtured their dwindling population in three fenced-in nature reserves for years. It had been decades since the critters had been seen in their native habitat.

But thanks to an effort to restore native vegetation to the area, buckwheat, source of the butterflies' preferred nectar, now blankets bluffs that had been overgrown with invasive nonnative ice plant.

On endangered species list
Still, scientists were surprised the El Segundo blues, thought to be too lazy to travel long distances, returned home without the help of human hands.

They have been on the nation's endangered species list since 1976.

"No one figured that they would just do it on their own," said Ann Dalkey, co-chairwoman of the Beach Bluffs Restoration Project. "You can see them like crazy. They're everywhere."

MORE FROM WONDERFUL WORLD

Wonderful World Section Front

At 84, man gets high school diploma Saving summer: Gifts keep city pools open Wallet stolen in 1982 found in NYC tree Man's wallet returned after 63 years Dogs help injured soldiers overcome challenges Man working 3 jobs wins $39 million Car wash, bake sale to pay for funeral ‘Boy vs. Wild’? TV tips help lost hiker survive Carpenter nails 2 lottery wins in a week Baby sea lion rescued on freeway Wonderful World Section Front   Add Wonderful World headlines to your news reader: