US to Save Jamaican Kite Swallowtail: Butterfly on Brink!
Published Date: 4/17/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to officially protect the Jamaican kite swallowtail butterfly by listing it as endangered. This means the butterfly will get special care to help it survive, and people can share their thoughts on this plan until June 16, 2026. If approved, this could lead to new rules that help save this rare butterfly without big costs to businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Proposal to List Butterfly as Endangered
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to list the Jamaican kite swallowtail as an endangered species, which would add it to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend protections under the Endangered Species Act. The agency is accepting public comments on this proposal through June 16, 2026, and says finalizing the listing could lead to new rules to help save the butterfly while likely imposing no big costs to businesses.
Past Trade and Jamaica Penalties Noted
The rule notes specimens of the Jamaican kite swallowtail were sold online for $150 USD in 2006 and that any level of trade could threaten the tiny population. The species is not listed under CITES, and Jamaica's Wild Life Protection Act carries maximum fines of 100,000 Jamaican dollars (about $638 USD) and up to two years in jail for taking or possession of protected animals.
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Key Dates
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