Agathymus polingi (Poling's Giant-Skipper) | Natural Heritage New Mexico

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Hesperiidae

Genus: Agathymus

Species: polingi

Poling's Giant-Skipper - Agathymus polingi

352707

Species Extent (New Mexico)

Global Rank: G4

State Rank: S1

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S1	Rank Changed: 03/10/2025
Rank Reviewed: 07/31/1996
Reason: Poling’s Giant-Skipper (Agathymus polingi), is found on arid hillsides and in canyons in southern Arizona, extreme southwestern New Mexico, and northwestern Mexico. Population size estimates and trends are currently unknown for this taxon, though it is reportedly scantly distributed and uncommonly observed. Threats to this species are not currently understood, but likely include increased drought and wildfire, as a result of climate change. The species is also univoltine and feeds on only one host plant, Schott's Agave (<em>Agave schottii</em>), factors which are thought to magnify sensitivity to habitat loss and increase extinction risk. Using indices of drought, which is likely the primary threat to the species, and grouping nearby points, seven or eight locations were determined. Continuing decline in suitability of habitat is projected, as drought and wildfire increasingly reduce the prevalence of hostplants and the availability of water. As a result, the species is currently assessed as S1 in New Mexico. A reassessment should be done if more information on extant range and population trend become available.

Ecological Factors
Specificity: Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common.	Range Extent: <100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Occurences: 1 - 5	Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: There is only one known occurrence record for this butterfly in the state of New Mexico and so the Area of Occupancy is 4km2 with the larger radius being used to represent uncertainty.	Threat Summary: N/A

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Number of Subpopulations: 0

Number of Mapped Locations: 0

Number of Observations: 0

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