Eastern persius duskywing: COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 13
Technical Summary
Erynnis persius persius
Ontario
Extent and Area Information
Population Information
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
- Habitat loss and degradation due to:
- fire suppression
- tree planting
- herbivory of host plants
- agriculture, urban development and resource extraction
- Pesticide spraying
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source): No
Quantitative Analysis
None performed
Current Status
COSEWIC: Endangered (2006)
Status and Reasons for Designation
Reasons for Designation: This lupine-feeding butterfly has been confirmed from only two sites in Canada. It inhabits oak savannahs in southern Ontario, a habitat that has undergone substantial declines and alterations. Larval host plant populations have been greatly reduced. There have been no confirmed records of this butterfly for 18 years, but unconfirmed sight records suggest that the species might still exist in Canada.
Applicability of Criteria
Criterion A (Declining Total Population):
Not applicable, no decline data.
Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation):
If any individuals of the species persist, the EO is certainly much less than 5000 km2 B1. The AO is certainly much less than 500 km2 – B2. This species occurs at fewer than 5 locations – a. There is a continuing decline – b. In habitat (iii)
Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline):
There are fewer than 2500 mature individuals and there is likely a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals – 2 with a population structure such that no population contains more than 250 mature individuals – a(i)
Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution):
There are fewer than 250 mature individuals – D1.
Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis):
Not available.
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