Joanna Gilkeson/U.S.Fish and Wildlife

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist John Martin says, “I guarantee you we won’t see any Quino. Not in this season.” Before the recent drought, he saw the Quino checkerspot butterfly, abundant in “double figures.” Then, in the rainless years, probing half-a-dozen prime spots, he saw none.

Dog-eared beach battle

I don’t have a “dog in this fight,” but looking at the first two photos of the revetment, it looks like Ms. Mackin took advantage of the high tide to make it appear that the homeowners took the whole beach with the revetment (“Homes at end of Oceanside Blvd. claim emergency,” Neighborhood News, December 10). It may be misleading to your readers. If an accurate comparison were to be made, I’m not sure it’s as bad as she suggests.

• Tony Marinucci
• Oceanside Harbor

Oceanside homes from California Records Project 2013

"These homeowners had carte blanche" (Drone photo taken July 20)

Ben Clay has been tabbed by SDSU to look into a student’s death.

Photograph by Frank Villalpando, diFranco Photo

Feats of Clay

So, Ben Clay is to oversee the investigation of the death of the SDSU frat pledge (“Entry edifice complex,” News under the Radar, December 4). He couldn’t properly oversee as co-chair (with his wife) the Balboa Park Centennial Committee a few years back and that lack of his attention cost us taxpayers a whopping $2,900,000 before it collapsed into oblivion. What will he cost us taxpayers via the SDSU budget to take on this task?

• Lou Cumming
• La Jolla

Bugged by insects

Chula Vista used to pride itself on its trees (“San Diego’s changing bugs,” Cover Stories, November 20). My house was built in 1890. The original owner, defining status and class with outstanding trees, planted 24 Canary Island Palm -–aka “Queen” – trees. They fronted his 5-acre parcel, and marched down his 100-foot driveway. It was a huge financial investment.The poor remainder of 8 of them make me so sad. Two are now dead. Three are dying. The others will probably die as well. Queen palms are not native to California, and in fact in some areas are considered an invasive species. In California, as in other areas, they were/are an exotic and beautiful import. It’s a bug that is killing them. An invasive insect. I paid lots of money to a respected tree company who sprayed the ground around my now dying Queens; I was told it would protect them. But it has failed. I find it just heartbreaking to see all the dead and dying Queen palms, formerly so regal, now so despondent, with their crowns collapsed. I’m so angry at those bugs.

• Susan D. Walter
• Chula Vista