Conservation status of two listed butterflies in the Mariana Islands

There are few endemic butterflies in volcanic archipelagoes, but they are important and unique components of island biodiversity. The Mariana Eight-spot butterfly (Hypolimnas octocula marianensis), and the Mariana Wanderer (Vagrans egistina) are endemic to the Mariana Archipelago, and are listed under the USFWS ESA for some of the same reasons. As part of a team, I conducted population and reintroduction assessments of both species to determine the current status of both species across the Marianas and surmise likely reasons for their decline.  It is likely that some basic management actions could be instrumental in assisting in the recovery of at least one of the species.