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New Jersey Tea Inchworm
New Jersey Tea Inchworm
Latin name: Apodrepanulatrix liberaria
Status: Endangered
Habitat Needs: Pitch pine-shrub oak barrens, sandplain communities, rocky outcrops and ridges
Why is this species threatened with extinction? The New Jersey Tea Inchworm is threatened due to habitat loss and fire suppression. In Andover, ATV riders are killing their food plant, the New Jersey Tea Plant, and due to habitat destruction, deer are also eating the New Jersey Tea plant, which needs pine barrens and sandy soil.
Historical note: after the Boston Tea Party, colonists used the New Jersey Tea plant to make tea since they could not longer obtain their more "traditional" teas.
Why is this species so important to save? Andover is the only town the New Jersey Tea Inchworm is found in the Shawsheen River Valley, and preserving its population here can ensure its survival for many more generation
Most Recent Observation: 2015
Picture Credit:
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/sh/apodrepanulatrix-liberaria.pdf
Slender Clearwing Sphinx
Slender Clearwing Sphinx
Latin name: Hemaris gracilis
Status: Special Concern
Habitat Needs: Pitch pine-shrub oak barrens, sandplain communities, rocky outcrops and ridges, and acidic bogs and swamps
Why is this species threatened with extinction? The Slender Clearwing Sphinx is threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, fire suppression, and the use of pesticides
Why is this species so important to save? The Slender Clearwing Moth is a pollinator, and its loss would jeopardize the future of plant populations
Most Recent Observation: 2015
Picture credit:
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hemaris-gracilis
Frosted Elfin
Frosted Elfin
Latin name: Callophrys irus
Status: Special Concern
Habitat Needs: It's found in open wooded areas and forest edges with wild blue lupine
Why is this species threatened with extinction? The Frosted Elfin is threatened due habitat loss
Why is this species so important to save? They are extremely rare compared to other moths/butterflies
Most Recent Observation: 2014
Picture Credits:
https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/profiles/wap/insects-frostedelfin.pdf
Barrens Buckmoth
Barrens Buckmoth
Latin name: Hemileuca maia
Status: Special Concern
Habitat Needs: Pitch pine-scrub, oak barrens fastened in sandy soil
Why is this species threatened with extinction?
The Barrens Buckmoth is threatened due to habitat loss and fragmentation as well as being affected by spraying for Gypsy moth caterpillars.
Why is this species so important to save?
This species is extremely rare. The adults are beautifully colored and only live for 2 to 3 months. Adults do not feed, but provide food for birds and bats.
Most Recent Observation: Historic
Picture Credits:
https://orendalandtrust.org/wildlife/2010/06/species-of-concernprotected-species/
Twilight Moth
Twilight Moth
Latin name: Lycia rachelae
Status: Endangered
Habitat Needs: Sandplain pitch pine-scrub oak barrens
Why is this species threatened with extinction?
The Twilight Moth is threatened due to many reasons, including habitat loss, fire suppression, insecticide spraying, off-road vehicle usage, and global warming
Why is this species so important to save?
The twilight moth is a pollinator and is a food source for birds and bats. Both these populations would be compromised without the moth.
Most Recent Observation: 2002
Picture Credits:
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/qj/lycia-rachelae.pdf
Sandplain Euchlaena
Sandplain Euchlaena
Latin name: Euchlaena madusaria
Status: Special Concern
Habitat Needs: Oak barrens, heathlands, and grasslands
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Invasive plants, insecticide spraying, as well as fire suppression- Fire is actually needed to maintain the habitat needed by this species
Why is this species so important to save? The Sandplain Euchlaena is a pollinator, without it many species would die off
Most Recent Observation: 2008
Picture Credits:
www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/wh/euchlaena-madusaria.pdf
Umber Shadowdragon
Umber Shadowdragon
Latin name: Neurocordulia obsoleta
Status: Special Concern
Habitat Needs: Lives near rivers and lakes
Why is this species threatened with extinction? Overuse of habitat for recreational use seems to be the primary reason for the special concern of the Umber Shadowdragon, and they are also susceptible to pollution, although it is believed that they may actually be doing well, and the populations are being overlooked
Why is this species so important to save? This species should be protected in order to maintain the biodiversity of the ecosystems the Umber Shadowdragon is part of. They also eat flies and mosquitos - without them mosquito populations would rise
Most Recent Observation: 2004
Picture Credits:
http://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vermont-damselfly-and-dragonfly-atlas/umber-shadowdragon/Page updated
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