Laguna Mountains Skipper Butterfly

Pyrgus ruralis lagunae

Overview

The Laguna Mountains skipper (Pyrgus ruralis lagunae) occupies montane meadow habitats in a very restricted range within San Diego County, California. A main factor in the decline of the Laguna Mountains skipper may be the decreasing abundance of their host plant, Cleveland's horkelia (Horkelia clevelandii). This plant is restricted to montane meadows, which have been degraded through development, grazing, and recreational activities.

Description

The Laguna Mountains skipper is a small (~3 cm wingspan) member of the Hesperiidae (skipper) family. The Laguna Mountains skipper is one of two subspecies of Pyrgus ruralis, and is only known from higher elevation areas of southern California. The other, Pyrgus ruralis ruralis, is much more widespread, occurring over much of the western U.S., and is generally darker in color.

Life History

The larvae of Laguna Mountains skippers feed solely on Cleveland's horkelia (Horkelia clevelandii), a plant in the rose family. There appear to be two adult flight seasons each year during which the butterflies mate, one in mid spring and a second in late summer. Cleveland's horkelia is important to the adults as well, because they rely heavily on the larval host plant as a nectar source.

Distribution

In addition to the Laguna Mountains for which the skipper is named, the butterfly is known from two areas in San Diego County.

Conservation Status

There have been limited surveys for the animal but four surveys in the Laguna Mountains between 1994 and 2000 did not record more than two adults in any one year. No animals found in the 1999 survey in the Laguna Mountains. Estimates for the Palomar Mountains are that the skipper seems to be holding its own but at low numbers of individuals. There is a fairly strong population at Mendenhall Meadow.

Distribution

In addition to the Laguna Mountains for which the skipper is named, the butterfly is known from two areas in San Diego County.

Conservation Status

There have been limited surveys for the animal but four surveys in the Laguna Mountains between 1994 and 2000 did not record more than two adults in any one year. No animals found in the 1999 survey in the Laguna Mountains. Estimates for the Palomar Mountains are that the skipper seems to be holding its own but at low numbers of individuals. There is a fairly strong population at Mendenhall Meadow.

Conservation Needs

Working with landowners

Information was unavailable at time of publication.

Education

Education sheets available at zoological facilities (e.g. zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens with butterflies, butterfly houses, natural history museums) or events at which BFCI partners participate are a valuable way to disseminate information about imperiled butterflies.

When schools and other youth organizations study biodiversity and species extinctions they typically use examples of charismatic megafauna (e.g. bald eagles) or exotic creatures from the tropics. However, vulnerable species found within the state or ecoregion in which students live provide an excellent opportunity to develop curricular materials with a direct link to the students' home region. In addition to classroom studies, students may be able to visit sites to see the butterflies, as well as talk to the scientists and land managers involved in the species' conservation.

Educational activities that school students and community members could do include:

  • studying butterfly (insect) life stages;
  • researching the special habitat needs of the Laguna Mountains skipper;
  • corresponding or meeting with the biologists managing current Laguna Mountains skipper sites;
  • visiting Laguna Mountains skipper sites during adult flight season;
  • visiting captive breeding programs;
  • assisting scientists with on-site habitat management;
  • propagating and growing host plants for planting at butterfly sites or use in captive breeding programs; and
  • writing letters to decision makers to ensure that the Laguna Mountains skipper receives adequate resources and protection.

Research

There is a need for more surveys for additional individuals and populations.

Captive Rearing

Information was unavailable at time of publication.

Recovery Plan

None

More Info

  • USFWS contact: Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California, 92008. Phone (760) 431-9440.
  • Entomological Consulting Services, Ltd.: Richard Arnold, 104 Mountain View Court, Pleasant Hill, California 94523-2188. Phone (925) 825-3784.

References

  • Brown, J. W. 1991. Sensitive and Declining Butterfly Species (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in San Diego County, California. unpub. manuscript, Dudek and Associates, Inc.
  • Encinitas CA. Hickman, J. C. (ed.). 1993. The Jepson Manual of Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley. p. 955.
  • Levy, J. N. 1994. Status of the Laguna Mountains Skipper (Pyrgus ruralis lagunae J. Scott). Biological survey and analysis prepared for the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Levy, J. N. 1996. Status of the Laguna Mountains skipper butterfly: Interim Report 1995-1996. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Levy, J. N. 1997. Status of the Laguna Mountains skipper butterfly. Report of field activities: 1995-1997. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Mattoni, R. and T. Longcore. 1998. Field studies and conservation planning for the endangered Laguna Mountain skipper, Pyrgus ruralis lagunae.
  • Murphy, D. D. 1990. A report on the California butterflies listed as candidates for endangered status by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Draft Report for the California Department of Fish and Game, Contract No. c-1755. 60 pp.
  • Pratt, G. G. 1999. Laguna Mts Skipper in the Cleveland National Forest. 1999 Survey. Prepared for the Cleveland National Forest.
  • Scott, J. A. 1981. New Papilionoideae and Hesperiidae from North America. Papilio (new series) 1:1-12.
  • U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Biological/Conference Opinion on the Cleveland National Forest Grazing allotments, San Diego County, California (1-6-95-F-20)
  • U.S. Forest Service. 1995. Biological Assessment for Grazing Activities on the Cleveland National Forest, San Diego County, California.
  • U.C. Berkeley, Essig Museum of Entomology. California's Endangered Insects Laguna Mountains skipper page.
  • USFWS Laguna Mountains skipper page
  • Butterflies and Skippers of North America Pyrgus ruralis page

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Classification

Federal Endangered Species (Federal Register: 62-2313; January 1997)

State Status

No state designation beyond the federal classification.

Range

CA

Critical Habitat

None designated

Acknowledgement

This profile was prepared by the Xerces Society for the Butterfly Conservation Initiative.