Endangered-subspecies
Guides
Catocala herodias
Herodias Underwing, Gerhard's Underwing
Catocala herodias is an underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Strecker in 1876. The species comprises two subspecies with disjunct distributions: the nominate form occurs in Texas and Oklahoma, while subspecies C. h. gerhardi ranges from Massachusetts to Virginia. Adults have a wingspan of 55–65 mm and fly from July to August. The gerhardi subspecies is listed as endangered in Connecticut.
Ellipsoptera nevadica
Nevada tiger beetle
Ellipsoptera nevadica is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with nine recognized subspecies including the critically endangered E. n. lincolniana (salt creek tiger beetle). Subspecies E. n. lincolniana has been intensively studied due to its conservation status, with research demonstrating that egg survival and oviposition are negatively impacted by high temperatures and low precipitation.
Euchloe ausonides
Large Marble, Creamy Marblewing
Euchloe ausonides, commonly known as the Large Marble or Creamy Marblewing, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae native to western North America. The species exhibits remarkable camouflage behavior, with adults capable of orienting themselves against backgrounds to render nearly invisible despite their contrasting wing patterns. Population declines have been documented in California since the 1980s, particularly in the Central Valley and Bay Area, with the species now considered regionally extinct at low-elevation sites in some areas. One subspecies, E. a. insulanus (Island Marble), is federally endangered and endemic to the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
Euphilotes enoptes
dotted blue
Euphilotes enoptes, commonly known as the dotted blue, is a North American lycaenid butterfly in the subfamily Polyommatinae. The species comprises multiple described subspecies, including the federally endangered E. e. smithi, which has been the focus of conservation efforts in California. Subspecies vary in distribution and habitat associations across western North America.
Plebejus icarioides
Melissa blue, Fender's blue
Plebejus icarioides is a species of lycaenid butterfly commonly known as the Melissa blue. The species has been observed colonizing alfalfa in the Great Basin region, representing a notable host range expansion. One subspecies, P. icarioides fenderi (Fender's blue), is federally endangered in the United States and has been the focus of intensive conservation research. The species exhibits ant tending behavior, with caterpillars producing sugar secretions that ants collect in exchange for protection from natural enemies.
Plebejus idas
Idas blue, northern blue
Plebejus idas is a small blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, widely distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. Males display iridescent blue upper wings, while females are brown with orange submarginal spots. The species exhibits notable geographic variation in its ecological relationships, including facultative versus obligate myrmecophily. The critically endangered subspecies P. idas lotis (lotis blue butterfly), native to coastal California, is believed extinct since 1994.
Plebejus melissa
Melissa Blue
The Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa) is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, native to western North America. This species has been extensively studied for its colonization of alfalfa as a novel host plant, representing a well-documented case of host range expansion. The Karner blue (P. m. samuelis), described by Vladimir Nabokov, is a federally endangered subspecies restricted to oak savanna and pine barren habitats in the upper Midwest.
Pyrgus ruralis
Two-banded Checkered-Skipper, Two-banded Checkered Skipper
Pyrgus ruralis is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the two-banded checkered skipper. It occurs across western North America from southern British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains south to central California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. The species has one generation annually, with adults active from April to July. A federally endangered subspecies, P. r. lagunae (Laguna Mountains skipper), persists in a restricted range in the mountains east of San Diego, California.