Polites rhesus (Rhesus Skipper) | Natural Heritage New Mexico

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Hesperiidae

Genus: Polites

Species: rhesus

Rhesus Skipper - Polites rhesus

373993

Species Extent (New Mexico)

Global Rank: G3

State Rank: S3

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S3	Rank Changed: 02/19/2025
Rank Reviewed: 07/31/1996
Reason: The Rhesus Skipper (<em>Polites rhesus</em>) is a prairie habitat specialist, native to the midwestern United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. No population data is available for this species, although it is reportedly rare and declining in Colorado. A continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat is observed, as native prairie habitats have largely been converted to agriculture and oil and gas development. This species is threatened by pesticide use, climate change, invasive species, and ongoing habitat loss. Until more occurrences can be verified, the Rhesus Skipper is assessed as S3 in New Mexico.

Ecological Factors
Specificity: Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common.	Range Extent: 20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Occurences: 81 - 300	Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: An Area of Occupancy of 43km2 was calculated on GeoCat using 1km2 grid cells and data from GBIF.org, 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: 3

Number of Mapped Locations: 3

Number of Observations: 0

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