Protogygia whitesandsensis (White Sands Cutworm Moth)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Noctuidae

Genus: Protogygia

Species: whitesandsensis

White Sands Cutworm Moth - Protogygia whitesandsensis

1380095

Species Extent (New Mexico)

Global Rank: GNR

State Rank: S1

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S1	Rank Changed: 03/26/2025
Rank Reviewed: N/A
Reason: <em>Protogygia whitesandsensis </em>is a Noctuid moth endemic to the gypsum dune ecosystem of the Tularosa Basin, in southern New Mexico. It has been recorded very few times, though survey effort in the region has been minimal. Based on known occurrences, the estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) could be as little as 32 km<sup>2</sup> and 3 km<sup>2</sup>, respectively. Given lack of survey effort, these parameters are likely underestimated. If the species is found across the dune ecosystem, the EOO and AOO could be as much as 1,028 km<sup>2</sup>. The main threats of drought and groundwater drawdown is increasing sand motility. This habitat instability is pervasive across the range of the species. While the timing and severity of this threat is not well understood, the species is known from very few localities within a small range. They may all be impacted by a severe drought year or each locality may be impacted separately as dunes shift and habitat is lost (therefore three locations). Continuing decline is also inferred for this species, due to the threats of habitat instability and increased incidence of drought due to climate change. As a result, this species is currently assessed as S1 in New Mexico.

Ecological Factors
Specificity: Unknown	Range Extent: <100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Occurences: 1 - 5	Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: An Area of Occupancy 3km2 was calculated using all known points.	Threat Summary: N/A

State Status:

Federal Status:

USFS Status:

BLM Status:

SWAP Status: SGCN

NMRP Strategy Status:

Number of Subpopulations: 2

Number of Mapped Locations: 12

Number of Observations: 0

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