Pseudocopaeodes eunus obscurus

Overview

The Carson wandering skipper is currently known from only two populations, one in Washoe County, Nevada, and one in Lassen County, California. The subspecies is found in grassland habitats on alkaline substrates.

The sites where viable populations are still found are at risk due to livestock grazing, off-road vehicle activity, encroaching development, gas and geothermal development, changes in the water table, pesticide drift and non-native plant invasion.

Description

The dorsal side of the wings are tawny orange except for a narrow uniform border and black veins near the border at the outer edge of the wing. The underside of the hindwing is pale creamy orange with two creamy rays extending from the base of the wing to its margin, and there may be dusky suffusions along the wing veins.

Males tend to average 13.1 mm (0.52 in.) in size (ranging from 12.0 to 13.9 mm [0.47 to 0.55 in.]). Size is forewing length from base to apex. Females average 14.7 mm (0.58 in.) in size, and range from 13.4 to 15.6 mm (0.53 to 0.61 in.) from forewing base to apex. The female's dorsal (upper) surface is similar to the male's, but with heavier dusting on the discal area of the hindwing. The female's ventral surface is similar in appearance to the male's.

The Carson wandering skipper can be distinguished from the other subspecies of Pseudocopaeodes eunus by a combination of several characteristics. The Carson wandering skipper is more brown and less intensely orange on its dorsal surface, with thicker black coloring along the veins, outer margin, and on both basal surfaces; and it is duller, overall, with an expanse of bright yellow and orange ground color, especially on the ventral surface, interrupted by broadly darkened veins.

Life History

Carson wandering skipper females lay their cream-colored eggs on salt grass (Distichlis spicata), the larval host plant for the subspecies. This is a common plant species in the saltbush-greasewood community of the intermountain west. Salt grass usually occurs where the water table is high enough to keep its roots saturated for most of the year.

Distribution

Prior to European settlement, a population of P. eunus obscurus probably occurred from Carson Hot Springs to the Carson River. The Carson wandering skipper is currently known from only two populations, one in Washoe County, Nevada, and one in Lassen County, California. The subspecies is found in grassland habitats on alkaline substrates.

Conservation Status

In the late 1990's, P. eunus obscurus could be found at three sites: (1) near Carson City, Nevada, (2) at Winnemucca Ranch in Washoe County, Nevada, and (3) near Honey Lake in Lassen County, California. At the first of these sites the butterfly appears to have been extirpated due to development and a misguided attempt at wetland restoration. The second site, which is currently occupied by the butterfly, includes both BLM and private land. The third site (actually a collection of small, closely associated sites) also is on public (California Department of Fish and Game) and private land; it may offer the better opportunity for immediate conservation action

Conservation Needs

Working with landowners

BLM is making an effort to purchase the area that holds the only population on private land. The other populations are on BLM and California Fish and Game land.

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 Carson wandering skipper;
• corresponding or meeting with the biologists managing current Carson wandering skipper sites;
• visiting Carson wandering 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 Carson wandering skipper receives adequate resources and protection.

Research

Peter Brussard has been searching for additional habitat and conducting research on habitat needs.

Captive Rearing

Insufficient information available at time of publication.

Recovery Plan

None

More Info

• USFWS Contact: Robert D. Williams, Field Supervisor, Nevada Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Phone (775) 861-6300
• Peter Brussard, University of Nevada at Reno, Phone (775) 784-1360, brussard@biodiversity.unr.edu
• Dennis Murphy, University of Nevada at Reno, Phone (775) 784-1303, ddmurphy@biodiversity.unr.edu
• George Austin, Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas, Phone (702) 486-5205 x225, gtaustin@clan.lib.nv.us
• The Xerces Society, Scott Hoffman Black, 4828 Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215 Phone (503) 232 6639, sblack@xerces.org
• Sam Blankenship, California Fish and Game, Phone (916) 651-8762, sblanken@dfg.ca.gov

References

• Brussard, P. F., B. Niell and G. T. Austin. 1999. Report on the Distribution, Genetics and Conservation Status of the Carson Wandering Skipper, Pseudocopaeodes eunus obscurus.
• Brussard P. F. 2000. Draft Conservation Plan for the Carson Skipper.
• USFWS Carson wandering skipper page.

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Classification

Federal Endangered Species (Federal Register: 69:24904: May 4, 2004)

State Status

No state designation beyond the federal classification.

Range

CA, NV

Critical Habitat

None designated

Acknowledgement

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