Species Information

Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Lepidoptera
        Family: Geometridae
          Genus: Nemoria
            Species: subsequens

Sacramento Mountains Emerald Moth - Nemoria subsequens

Sacramento Mountains Emerald Moth

Image courtesy of Biota Information System of New Mexico

1380268

Species Extent (New Mexico)

Status

Global Rank: GNR

State Rank: S1

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S1 Rank Changed: 04/07/2025
Rank Reviewed: N/A
Reason: <em>Nemoria subsequens</em> is a rare moth in the family Geometridae, that is believed to be endemic to southeastern New Mexico, in the United States, where it has been recorded in the Sacramento and Guadalupe Mountains. It has been recorded very few times, though survey effort for this taxon has been minimal. Based on known occurrences, the estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) could be as little as 1,267 km<sup>2</sup> and 4km<sup>2</sup>, respectively. With taxonomic research, it is possible that reports from Texas will prove to represent <em>N. subsequens</em> as well, in which case the estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) would be closer to 3,993 km<sup>2</sup>. These numbers may increase if increased survey effort reveals new additional occurrences. The species may be found in as few as two occurrences, representing the two general collection localities where the species has been recorded in the last 40 years. The main threats including increased drought due to climate change and catastrophic fire, which will likely impact each locality separately. If the species remains extant at all the historic collection localities and the Texas occurrence is verified, five occurrences may be possible. Continuing decline in the habitat quality is inferred due to extreme fire risk as a result of decades of fire suppression practices, increasing drought due to climate change, overgrazing, and nonnative plant species outcompeting native species that may serve as larval host. Therefore, until additional information is available, this poorly understood species is assessed as S1 in New Mexico.
 
Ecological Factors
Specificity: Unknown Range Extent: 1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Occurences: 1 - 5 Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: An Area of Occupancy of 4km2 was calculated on GeoCat using all known occurrence points. Threat Summary: N/A

State Status:

Federal Status:

USFS Status:

BLM Status:

SWAP Status: SGCN

NMRP Strategy Status:

Observations in Natural Heritage New Mexico Database

Number of Subpopulations: 4

Number of Mapped Locations: 7

Number of Observations: 4

Observation date range: 01-01-1960 to 01-01-2023


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