Comment on FR Doc # 2011-19818

I am dismayed by the choice to list two abundant species of blue butterfly as threatened - the Ceraunus and Cassius blues. I am in full support of the listing of the Miami and possibly the Nickerbean blue, both are rare species that occur in isolated habitats in southern Florida. The Florida Keys especially need help to preserve what little fragile habitat is left. Hopefully federal listing of the Miami Blue may help reduce mosquito abatement spraying that undoubtedly is a cause for decline. Specifically regarding the Ceraunus and Cassius blues: These are abundant and widespread species that range all of the gulf coast. The Ceraunus blue in particular has a native range west to California and appears regularly in the midwestern states. Checking records at butterfliesandmoths.org you can see this butterfly calls the entire southern half of this hemisphere home: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hemiargus-ceraunus Making this butterfly protected will turn tens of thousands of schoolchildren every year into poachers. It is patently absurd to list these species and the FWS itself states "that there is no evidence or information on current or past collection pressure on the Miami blue (FWC 2010, p. 13)". Why then are such extreme measures being taken to prevent collection pressures? Furthermore, as evidence for the inclusion of these common species the register states "Web site offers specimens of two other butterflies similar in appearance to the Miami blue; the ceraunus blue currently sells for €4.00 ($5.57), and the cassius blue is available for €2.50-10.00 ($3.48-$13.93)." A market price of $4-6 dollars indicates nothing other than the commonality of the species. Almost all species of any insect can be purchased somewhere onlin Any further research into the "trade" of Lycaenidae quickly shows there is very little commercial appeal. Swallowtail butterflies like Papilio are the exception to the rule that insects are dirt cheap on the interne