make their home on the property of the Fort Indiantown Gap
National Guard Training Center.
(5) According to the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs, this population consists of approximately 1,000
adult Regal Fritillary butterflies and represents the largest
population of the species east of Indiana.
(6) The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also
asserts that this population of Regal Fritillary butterflies
is the largest documented population on a single landholding
in North America.
(7) Fort Indiantown Gap has set aside 219 acres of
training areas and ranges to conduct research on the habits
of the Regal Fritillary butterflies and actively maintains
this important property for the benefit of the butterflies.
(8) Public tours of the habitat are now being conducted.
(9) Designating the Regal Fritillary butterfly as the
official butterfly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
highlights the striking beauty of the species.
(10) Designating the Regal Fritillary butterfly as the
official butterfly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will
also bring attention to the Commonwealth's important role in
maintaining a crucial habitat for this butterfly.
Section 2. Official State butterfly.
The Regal Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) is hereby
designated as the official butterfly of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
Section 3. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
20190HB1844PN2551 - 2 -
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