SBBT has agreed a grant to Dr Eric Garraway in Jamaica to study two isolated populations of the Homerus Swallowtail. This lifeline to the most spectacular and endangered swallowtail in the Americas would not have been possible without a generous donation from the Howat family in memory of Dr Ian Howat, who loved butterflies and particularly this species.

SBBT has given a grant to the Queensland Wildlife Preservation Society for foodplant vines needed to rear this Vulnerable species in captivity and release the pupae and adults back to the wild. Volunteers across Queensland and New South Wales give their time freely to reverse the threats to this spectacular species.

SBBT’s Kinabalu Birdwing project headed by Stephen Sutton is to benefit from an HSBC Amanah grant to teach young people about the birdwing’s importance as a flagship species in this UNESCO World Heritage site in Sabah. Amongst other activities, they will create a traditional Dusun dance based around the butterfly’s courtship behaviour.

SBBT Trustees recently visited the Stratford Butterfly Farm, where the stunning display is from captive-reared stock. Stratford supports the Homerus Alliance, set up to save Jamaica’s endangered Homerus Swallowtail, the Western Hemisphere’s largest butterfly and a target species for the Trust.  Exploratory discussions focused on how we might assist this excellent cause.

Dr Darren Bito has been appointed to the position of Entomologist at the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Project in Papua New Guinea, for which the Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust is providing technical and scientific support. Dr Bito, who holds a degree and master’s from the University of PNG and a PhD from Griffiths University in Queensland, […]