Captive-breeding-subject
Guides
Oarisma poweshiek
Poweshiek Skipperling
The Poweshiek skipperling is a small, critically endangered North American grass skipper butterfly. Historically common across tallgrass prairie systems of the upper Midwest United States and southern Manitoba, Canada, it has experienced catastrophic population declines since 2005. The species now persists at only six verified extant sites: four prairie fens in Michigan, one mesic prairie in Wisconsin, and one tallgrass prairie in Manitoba. Intensive conservation efforts include captive breeding programs at the Minnesota Zoo and Assiniboine Park Conservancy, federal endangered species protection in both countries, and habitat restoration initiatives.