Glaucopsyche lygdamus erico (Raton Mesa Silvery Blue)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Lycaenidae

Genus: Glaucopsyche

Species: lygdamus erico

Raton Mesa Silvery Blue - Glaucopsyche lygdamus erico

1381551

Species Extent (New Mexico)

Global Rank: G5

State Rank: S2

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S2	Rank Changed: 01/29/2025
Rank Reviewed: N/A
Reason: The Raton Mesa Silvery Blue (<em>Glaucopsyche lygdamus erico</em>) is an endemic to the Raton Mesa Complex in Colfax and Union counties in New Mexico as well as in adjacent Colorado. More research is needed on this butterfly however, many threats are already facing this taxon including climate change, ecological succession, and inbreeding depression. Existing in a metapopulation dynamic many of the remaining colonies are likely quite small and vulnerable to environmental stochasticity. As a narrow high elevation endemic this butterfly also has a very small Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occurrence (EOO) both of which qualify the taxa for listing as endangered. Additionally, due to climate change, and ecological succession there is an inferred continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat for this butterfly. As a result, this butterfly is currently assessed as S2 in New Mexico. However, there are currently many unknowns about this butterfly and research is desperately needed on it. As such a reassessment should be done if more information becomes available

Ecological Factors
Specificity: Unknown	Range Extent: 250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Occurences: 6 - 20	Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: An Area of Occupancy was calculated from all known points. Points mostly from GBIF.org, Butterflies of New Mexico and personal observations.	Threat Summary: N/A

State Status:

Federal Status:

USFS Status:

BLM Status:

SWAP Status: SGCN

NMRP Strategy Status:

Number of Subpopulations: 4

Number of Mapped Locations: 8

Number of Observations: 3

Observation date range: 01-01-1997 to 06-06-2020

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