Comment on FR Doc # 2012-23747

I agree with the proposed rule in classifying these types of butterflies as endangered. Even though it may seem meaningless to attempt to protect these insects the fact is that they play an important role in our environment and society. It may take some time to realize the true value of these insects, but with the technological advances we may one day figure out if the insects serve a larger purpose then just fertilization. In a study conducted by the University of Colorado regarding the extinction of butterflies resulted that preservation was necessary in order to avoid “cascading effects”( Koh, Sodhi & Brook , 272) According to the researchers the extinction of a butterfly “could have important ecological and conservation implications” (274) With this being said it is important to protect these butterflies in order to avoid the extinction of other species as well as the loss of our environment. Koh, L.P., Sodhi, N.S. & Brook, B.W. (2004) Co-extinctions of tropical butterflies and their hostplants. Biotropica, 36, 272-274 retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/30043115