PRINTER'S NO. 1799
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1623
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY TOOHIL, BOBACK, PICKETT, FEE, LABS, SANCHEZ,
STEPHENS, SHUSTERMAN, HOWARD, PENNYCUICK AND FITZGERALD,
JUNE 14, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, JUNE 14, 2021
AN ACT
Designating the Regal Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) as
the official State butterfly of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Findings and declarations.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) The Regal Fritillary butterfly is a striking orange
and black butterfly that is found primarily in the mixed-
grass prairies of the east central region of the United
States.
(2) This beautiful butterfly has characteristically deep
orange forewings and dark hindwings.
(3) The Regal Fritillary butterfly was once common
throughout the northeastern region of the United States, but
is now extirpated or critically endangered in much of this
region.
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(4) A large population of Regal Fritillary butterflies
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.
20210HB1623PN1799 - 2 -
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