Environment : Notes about your surroundings.

Disappearing Bugs--The Wright’s checkerspot butterfly, once one of the most abundant species of the Southern California grasslands, may be extinct. The biologist coordinating research on the butterfly, Rudi Mattoni, is also directing his attention to another insect that may soon follow suit.

It is one of a class of insects collectively called “giant flower-loving flies.” Multi-colored and about 1 1/2 inches long, it once was common along the length of the Santa Ana River and other local riparian areas but is now restricted to a small stretch of the river near Colton, the victim of habitat destruction.

While butterflies are popular research subjects and also get lots of attention from amateur nature-lovers, the fate of flies gets considerably less attention. “They are very lovable flies,” Mattoni said of Rapiomavis terminatus , the recipient of his attentions. But so little is known of the insect’s life history that it has never even been given a common name.

“Our lack of knowledge is appalling,” Mattoni said. “We just don’t have the basic information.” Gaining any federal protection for the insect under the Endangered Species Act will be difficult, largely because the highly politicized process gives more weight to birds, butterflies and other critters that can garner public sympathy, Mattoni said.

Under the circumstances, a fly hardly stands a chance.