The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comments on a draft status report about the island marble butterfly. The report recommends classifying the species as endangered in Washington state. Comments will be accepted from March 27 through June 25, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
"There is only one remaining population of island marble in Washington, occurring on San Juan Island," said Taylor Cotten, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's conservation assessment section manager. The species' survival is largely due to captive rearing and augmentation efforts. In 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the island marble butterfly endangered under the Endangered Species Act. A draft report on the species is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, and public comments can be submitted by email or mail to Taylor Cotten in Olympia, WA. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will review the report and recommendations in September 2025.
The island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 1.75 inches, known for its marbled wing patterns. It was thought to be extinct in Washington until it was rediscovered in 1998 on San Juan Island. The remaining population is found in prairies, coastal dunes, bluffs, and lagoon ecosystems on the island. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife monitors species like the island marble butterfly and classifies them as endangered, threatened, or sensitive. These classifications lead to recovery plans and regular updates. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to conserve species and habitats while supporting recreational and commercial opportunities related to fish and wildlife. More information is available on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's At-Risk Species webpage.
