Polites origenes rhena (Rhena Crossline Skipper)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Hesperiidae

Genus: Polites

Species: origenes rhena

Rhena Crossline Skipper - Polites origenes rhena

294233

Species Extent (New Mexico)

Global Rank: G5

State Rank: S1

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S1	Rank Changed: 02/06/2025
Rank Reviewed: 03/21/2000
Reason: The Rhena Skipper (<em>Polites origenes rhena</em>) is a prairie specialist primarily living in remnant patches of Big Bluestem (<em>Andropogon gerardii</em>) grasslands, east of the Rocky mountains from Montana and North Dakota to New Mexico. The population size and trend is not known however, efforts should be made to determine this in light of declines Forister <em>et al.</em> 2021 found in other butterfly species in the Western United States. As a prairie specialist the butterfly has an inferred continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat; 80% of North America’s grasslands have been lost due to agriculture cultivation, development, and invasive species. The region is expected to experience a continued decline of habitat, losing 50 million acres in the last 10 years. The butterfly is threatened by both grazing and development. Fire is also a concern as the butterfly could fall victim to catastrophic fire fueled by climate change and invasive species. A lack of fire could also lead to woody encroachment, leaving the species with less habitat. As a result , this butterfly is currently assessed as S1 in New Mexico. However a reassessment should be done if more information becomes available.

Ecological Factors
Specificity: N/A	Range Extent: 1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Occurences: 1 - 5	Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: A 5km2 Area of Occupancy is calculated using GeoCat with points from GBIF.org, iNaturalist, Toliver et al. 2001, and Butterflies of New Mexico.	Threat Summary: N/A

State Status:

Federal Status:

USFS Status:

BLM Status:

SWAP Status: SGCN

NMRP Strategy Status:

Number of Subpopulations: 0

Number of Mapped Locations: 0

Number of Observations: 0

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