[stainablesteel]

this is great and all, but aren't you concerned that over-protecting them for generations will only lead to their increased vulnerability someday when you're not around?

i think adding the plant-based environment for them to thrive is the appropriate level of action, but not the human-level protection across larval stages, that's something they'll need to do for themselves in the wild or they're only going to be doomed

[bmitc]

The issue is that it's a numbers game right now, and it's tilted poorly in their favor. Yes, butterflies have to deal with natural predators, but their low numbers amplify their susceptibility to predators. If we can restore their numbers, then the percentage eaten isn't such a big deal anymore.