WildEarth Guardians

Friday, February 18, 2011
Rare Washington State Moth May Get Endangered Species Act Protection

Less than nine populations remain in Washington and British Columbia
Contact: Nicole Rosmarino 505-699-7404

SEATTLE, WA–Responding to a scientific petition from the WildEarth Guardians and The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today issued a positive preliminary finding for the Sand Verbena Moth (Copablepharon fuscum) determining that protection may be warranted and initiating a status review of the species. 

Only nine populations of the Sand Verbena Moth are known from coastal areas in Washington and British Columbia.  These populations are threatened with inundation as a result of rising sea levels and increased storm surges due to climate change, dune stabilization and habitat loss from invasive dune grasses, and recreation such as off-road vehicle use, among other threats.

“We are very pleased that the USFWS is going to take a serious look at protecting this species,” said Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “The science clearly shows that the Sand Verbena Moth is threatened with extinction.”

Recognizing the Moth’s imperilment, Canada listed this species as Endangered under its Species At Risk Act in 2005 and released its Recovery Strategy in 2008.  In contrast, the Sand Verbena Moth has no status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. 

Endangered Species Act protection for the moth would mean that its fragile coastal habitat would be protected and restored.  Such safeguards may also  benefit other species that depend on dune coastal ecosystems, such as the Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata), currently a candidate for ESA protection, and the Island Marble Butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus), a highly imperiled butterfly occurring in the same range and on at least one of the same sites.

“The sand verbena moth is on the edge of extinction and urgently needs the legal protections of the Endangered Species Act,” stated Dr. Nicole Rosmarino of WildEarth Guardians. “It is vitally important that the Fish and Wildlife Service move forward to provide swift protection for this species.”

Nicole Rosmarino, Ph.D., Wildlife Program Director, WildEarth Guardians, 505-699-7404, nrosmarino@wildearthguardians.org

Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; 503-232-6639, sblack@xerces.org

For photos or more information visit: www.xerces.org and wildearthguardians.org.