Agrotis arenarius

Neil, 1983

Sable Island Cutworm Moth

Agrotis arenarius is a noctuid to Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. First described by Neil in 1983, this is known from only a handful of observations. Its restricted distribution to a single small island makes it one of the most geographically limited Agrotis species. The specific epithet "arenarius" refers to the sandy of its island home.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Agrotis arenarius: /əˈɡroʊtɪs ˌærəˈnɛəriəs/

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Habitat

Sandy coastal dune environment of Sable Island, a crescent-shaped sandbar approximately 42 km long and 1.5 km wide. The island consists entirely of unconsolidated sand with no bedrock exposure, supporting sparse vegetation including marram grass and other dune-adapted plants.

Distribution

to Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. No records from mainland North America or other locations.

More Details

Conservation status

Extremely restricted range on a single island makes this vulnerable to changes and sea level rise. Sable Island is protected as a National Park Reserve.

Taxonomic note

The name "arenarius" (Latin for "of sand") directly references the sandy substrate of Sable Island, distinguishing it from other Agrotis species with broader ecological tolerances.