ABOUT BOM SPECIES LIST BUTTERFLY HISTORY CONSERVATION SPECIES METHODS
Species of Conservation Concern
Twenty-eight species, or almost a quarter of the state's butterfly fauna, warrant conservation concern. These are Uncommon or Rare species, which are Resident (breeding and over-wintering), have limited or specialized habitat, and are either declining according to 1991-2010 MBC records, or may be expected to decline as a result of climate warming and other factors.
The twenty species listed in Section I constitute almost one-fifth of Massachusetts butterfly species. They currently have no legal protection in the state. The additional eight species shown in Section II are already listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern.
For all these species, key populations should be monitored and conserved, and suitable habitat should be protected and properly managed. Follow the link for the full Species Account.
Section I Conservation Concern Species not currently protected
West Virginia White Pieris virginiensis ( habitat specialist; threats: garlic mustard, deer browse, forest fragmentation)
Bronze Copper Lycaena hyllus (uncommon, regional decline, warming sensitive)
Bog Copper Lycaena epixanthe (habitat specialist; regional concern; warming sensitive)
Acadian Hairstreak Satyrium acadica (uncommon; possibly declining; warming sensitive)
Hoary Elfin Callophrys polios (uncommon; habitat specialist; warming sensitive)
Juniper Hairstreak Callophrys gryneus (uncommon; possibly declining; regional concern)
Aphrodite Fritillary Speyeria aphrodite (uncommon; declining; warming sensitive)
Atlantis Fritillary Speyeria atlantis (uncommon; declining; warming sensitive)
Meadow Fritillary Boloria bellona (uncommon; declining; warming sensitive)
Harris’ Checkerspot Chlosyne harrisii (uncommon; declining; habitat specialist; warming sensitive)
Gray Comma Polygonia progne (rare; warming sensitive)
Arctic Skipper Carterocephalus palaemon (uncommon; boreal specialist; warming sensitive)
Leonard’s Skipper Hesperia leonardus (uncommon; state and regional decline; warming sensitive)
Cobweb Skipper Hesperia metea (uncommon; habitat specialist; regional concern)
Indian Skipper Hesperia sassacus (uncommon; probably declining; warming sensitive)
Mulberry Wing Poanes massasoit (uncommon; habitat specialist; limited regional range)
Black Dash Euphyes conspicua (uncommon; habitat specialist; limited regional range)
Two-spotted Skipper Euphyes bimacula (rare; habitat specialist; regional decline)
Pepper and Salt Skipper Amblyscirtes hegon (uncommon; possibly declining; warming sensitive)
Common Roadside-Skipper Amblyscirtes vialis (rare; historical and regional decline; warming sensitive)
Section II MESA-Listed Species of Conservation Concern
Mustard White Pieris oleracea [= napi] (Threatened)
Oak Hairstreak Satyrium favonius (Special Concern)
Frosted Elfin Callophrys irus (Special Concern)
Bog Elfin Callophrys lanoraieensis ((Threatened)
Hessel’s Hairstreak Callophrys hesseli (Special Concern)
Early Hairstreak Erora laeta (Threatened)
Persius Duskywing Erynnis persius (Endangered)
Dion Skipper Euphyes dion (Threatened)
page updated 12-15-2014
ABOUT BOM SPECIES LIST BUTTERFLY HISTORY CONSERVATION SPECIES METHODS