(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
OTHER COMMON NAMES - MOTH, SPHINX and KERN PRIMROSE
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Terrestrial Insects
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ARTHROPODA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - INSECTA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - LEPIDOPTERA,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - SPHINGIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - EUPROSERPINUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - EUTERPE,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - EUPROSERPINUS EUTERPE
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth
Euproserpinus euterpe Hy. Edwards, 1888
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Insect
PHYLUM: Arthropoda CLASS: Insecta
ORDER: Lepidoptera FAMILY: Sphingidae
Euproserpinus euterpe Henry Edwards 1888 (06) is a small, day
flying sphinx moth in the genus Euproserpinus that is shared by only
two other species. These are E. wiesti and E. phaeton (01). E.
euterpe is distinguished by the "labial palpus that is mixed pale and
dark gray, not bordered dorsally with a distinct black line; middle
portion of the forewing with numerous, transverse lines and dark gray
pattern (02)."
The following is taken from the Recovery Plan (01):
The type specimen of E. euterpe was collected by H. K.
Morrison and given to Henry Edwards to describe. Edwards
(1888) gave the type locality as San Diego County; however,
this is certainly incorrect. Edwards published so many
incorrect type localities for material he had received from
Morrison that Morrison felt compelled to publish a short note
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
in 1883 correcting the errors Edwards had made. Unfortunately,
Morrison died prior to the description of E. euterpe. Two
of his 1883 corrections are of special interest for they are
for a moth and butterfly collected near the present Kern
primrose sphinx moth colony. These and other records (Hoover
et al 1966 (07), Morrison 1883 (08)) indicate that Morrison
passed through the Walker Basin on his way to the Kern River
during the flight season of E. euterpe. In addition,
intensive collecting in San Diego County by many collectors
has failed to locate the species there. Kern primrose sphinx
moth may have been confined to the Walker Basin even at the
time of its original discovery.
The species was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in
1974 in Kern Co., CA.
Most amateur and professional lepidopterists refer to the species
by the binomial scientific name and therefore no common names besides
Kern primrose sphinx moth exist for this species.
E. euterpe specimens are housed at the California Academy, Golden
Gate Park, San Francisco, CA.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
T: Federal Threatened
Commercial
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Kern primrose sphinx moth is listed as Threatened pursuant to
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR 17.11). Under
this law the species is protected wherever found. It is currently and
historically known only from Kern County, CA. No Critical Habitat has
been designated.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation, or foreign law; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
This species is not protected under California law.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
This species has value as a part of California's natural history
and diversity. The species is also attractive to collectors, who
sometimes take the species illegally. There is a high monetary value
associated with the Kern primrose sphinx moth with both commercial and
private collectors (01).
78/07/03:43 FR 28938/28945 - Proposed rule, list as Threatened
80/04/08:45 FR 24090/ - Final rule, listed as Threatened
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Cropland and Pasture
Herbaceous Rangeland
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The following is taken from the Kern primrose sphinx moth
Recovery Plan (01):
The Walker Basin is at an elevation of 1,470 m in the southern
Sierra Nevada of Kern County, California. The basin is surrounded by
mountains over 2000 m in elevation. Currently, a large portion of the
basin is devoted to agriculture (primarily barley cultivation and
cattle pasture). The dominant vegetation in the sandy washes in which
the colony occurs includes filaree (Erodium cicutarium), baby
blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii), and rabbit brush (Chrysothamnus
nauseosus), as well as goldfield (Lasthenia chrysostoma) and
bromegrass (Bromus arenarius). The soil originates from decomposed
granite and is largely alluvial in nature. Its texture is coarse to
fine sand with very little silt.
The annual evening-primrose, on which the larvae of Kern primrose
sphinx moths feed, occurs in dry, disturbed and sandy-gravelly areas
below 3000 m elevation in many plant communities from Oregon to Baja
California. Since the 1969 revision of the genus Camissonia the
taxonomic status of the host plant is unclear and it is possible that
this moth is able to utilize several sympatric and closely related
Camissonia species. In the Walker Basin, the evening primrose is
frequently found along the edge of sandy washes adjoining fallow
fields. Seeds begin to germinate in February and March, but the young
seedlings are frequently difficult to locate and identify during the
flight season of the moth.
At the sphinx moth site in 1983 (09), the food plant was patchily
distributed. In some of the patches, it was found with Lindley's
annual lupine (Lupinus bicolor) and filaree and not in association
with high densities of goldfield.
The plant community surrounding the basin floor is dominated by
juniper (Juniperus californica), oak (Quercus douglassii,
Q. turbinella, and Q. wislizenii), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus
nauseosus), sagebrush (Artemesia sp.), and pine (Pinus monophylla).
The distribution of the moth may be limited because the host plant
does not occur in these plant communities. South of the Basin the
plant community is oak-grassland and appears unsuitable for the moth.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
HERBIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Forb Leaves/Stems
General Forb Flowers/Fruit/Seed
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Adult Kern primrose sphinx moths utilize nectar from filaree
(Erodium cicutarium) and baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii) (01).
Larval sphinx moths feed on the Camissonia (evening-primrose)
that also is an obligate host plant (01). Larvae prefer to consume
the flowers and new apical growth (05).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
This species is presumably non-territorial (05).
PERIODICITY:
The sphinx moth is a day flier. The flight season lasts from the
last week of February to the first week of April with the maximum
during the second or third week of March (05).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
This species is non-migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The following is taken from The Life History and Behavior of
Euproserpinus euterpe (Sphingidae) (05):
In the morning, males and females frequently bask on bare patches
of soil, dirt roads, or rodent mounds. . . . As the afternoon winds
increase, adult basking locations change to areas protected from wind
such as washes, behind knolls, or on the ground among bushes.
Pupation occurs in the soil, and a pupation chamber is
constructed near the surface, perhaps under rocks or other objects.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Adults fly during the warmer parts of the day, usually between
1000 hours and 1430 hours (05). Correct oviposition is on Camissonia
(evening-primrose) that occur in sandy-gravelly areas near washes in
the Basin (05).
However, female moths consistently deposit eggs on the filaree
(Erodium cicutarium) a naturalized exotic plant. Larvae hatched from
eggs deposited on filaree do not feed and subsequently die of
starvation within a few days. Such ovipositional errors may be a
significant factor in reproductive success and subsequently contribute
to the scarcity of the moth (01).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The breeding period is coincident with the adult flight season,
i.e., from the last week of February to the first week of April.
"At least 11 days are required for the eggs to hatch. There are five
larval instars before pupation occurs in May. The adults may emerge
the following year, or may remain in the pupal stage for an
undetermined number of years (01)".
PARENTAL CARE:
No parental care is known for this species (01).
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Ecological and life history studies must be undertaken before
establishment of additional colonies (as proposed) can be considered
because little is known about the biology and requirements of the moth
and its habitat.
Larvae eat the flowers of Camissonia sp. Those eggs that are
mistakenly laid on another plant, filaree, hatch but do not survive
because the larvae do not feed (05). Very little is known
about the ecology and population biology of the host plant species.
Flight characteristics of the moth cause collectors to capture a
greater proportion of females than males, which adversely affects the
population's reproductive potential. Of the 74 specimens known to
have been collected prior to the species' listing 54 (73%) were
females, which probably represents the loss of 1600 eggs (01). The
difference in sex ratio of captured moths is attributable to the fact
that females fly slower than males and stop to oviposit, thereby
making them more suceptible to collection (01). Actual sex ratios
of the population are unknown.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Camissonia sp. (evening-primrose) is the obligate host plant for
the larvae of the sphinx moth (05).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The following is taken from the Kern primrose sphinx moth
Recovery Plan (01):
Human activity probably has affected the population levels of the
Kern primrose sphinx moth in at least three ways: 1) the introduction
and establishment of non-native plants may have had a significant
impact on the ability of the moth to locate and oviposit on the
correct host plant; 2) land use practices probably have directly
influenced the survival of the moth and/or its host plant
(Camissonia); and 3) flight characteristics of the moth result in
capturing a greater proportion of females than males, which adversely
affects the population's reproductive potential.
Female moths consistently deposit eggs on the filaree (Erodium
cicutarium) a naturalized exotic plant. Filaree was introduced to
California with the arrival of the Spanish. Records indicate that by
1775 it was well established from San Franscisco to Baja California
(Handry and Bellue 1936 (03), Robbins 1940 (04)). Larvae hatched from
eggs deposited on filaree do not feed and die of starvation within a
few days. Such ovipositional errors may be a significant factor in
reproductive success and subsequently contribute to the scarcity of
the moth.
Land use practices are the second major threat to the population.
Evening-primrose (Camissonia) occurs in sandy soil along washes and in
fallow fields in somewhat ruderal habitats. Much of the land in the
Walker Basin that was appropriate habitat for the moth has been
developed for agricultural purposes, and is used as cropland or
pasture for cattle. In 1974, a portion of a fallow field served as
part of the colony site. Since the rediscovery of the moth, the field
has not been plowed and it appears that the host plant is becoming
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
less common in that area, possibly because of succession to plants
better suited to a more stable habitat.
Collection of the moth is a concern. For the first five years
after its rediscovery, the Kern primrose sphinx moth was observed only
in one small area. Intensive collecting during the flight seasons
resulted in the capture of at least 27 moths during this period. In
1979 another 47 specimens were collected. Because the colony is so
restricted, it is subject to overexploitation by collectors. Prior
to the 1980 listing of the animal, 74 specimens were known to be
collected during a six year period.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for the Kern
Primrose Sphinx Moth. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR.
39 pp.
The primary objective for the Kern primrose sphinx moth is to
delist the species by protecting the presently known population and
establish three additional secure colonies. A combined total of 5000
acres of habitat must be maintained for 10 years before delisting may
be considered.
Recovery may be accomplished through:
1. Utilizing existing laws and regulations (to protect against
illegal collecting, i.e. poaching);
2. Protecting and enhancing Kern primrose sphinx moth populations by
developing strategy to minimize pupal/larvae mortality (possibly
by augmentation of the host plant (Camissonia) through planting
seed and/or controlling/removing filaree, an exotic plant, (via
controlled grazing, mechanical means or possibly herbicides),
increasing nectar sources, examining limiting factors, and
developing strategy to protect the habitat (e.g., against
pesticides, grazing, adverse agricultural practices, etc.);
3. Establishing additional colonies in the Walker Basin. This
requires securing habitat for protection from development and
developing captive propagation techniques, and;
4. Informing the public about the Kern primrose sphinx moth and its
habitat.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species MOTH, SPHINX, KERN PRIMROSE
Species Id ESIS501006
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth
Recovery Plan - Agency Review Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Portland, OR. 40 pp.
02 Hodges, R. 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico including
Greenland. Fascicle 21, E.W. Classey Ltd. and R.B.D. Publications,
Inc., London.
03 Hendry, G.W. and M.K. Bellue. 1936. An approach to southwestern
agricultural history through adobe brick analysis. Univ. New Mex.
Bull. 296:65-72.
04 Robbins, R.M. 1940. Alien plants growing without cultivation in
California. Univ. Calif. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 637.
05 Tuskes, P.M. and J. Emmel. 1981. The life history and behavior of
Euproserpinus euterpe (Sphingidae). J. Lepidop. Soc. 35(1):27-33.
06 Edwards, H. 1888. Euproserpinus euterpe a new species of
Sphingidae. Ent. Americana 4:25-26.
07 Hoover, M.C., H.E. Rensch, and E.G. Rensch. 1966. Historic spots
in California. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, Ca.
08 Morrison, H.R. 1883. Localities for diurnals. Papilio 3:43.
09 Kellner, C.V. 1983. The 1983 study of the Kern primrose sphinx
moth. Unpublished report on file at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Sacramento Endangered Species Office. 25 pp.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Hodges, R. 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico including
Greenland. Fascicle 21, E.W. Classey Ltd. and R.B.D. Publications,
Inc., London.
02 Kellner, C.V. 1983. The 1983 study of the Kern primrose sphinx
moth. Unpublished report on file at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Sacramento Endangered Species Office. 25 pp.
03 Johnson, J. September 24, 1974. [Letter to the files on the
proposed listing of the Kern primrose sphinx moth.]
04 Tuskes, P. March 5, 1977. [Letter to the files with information
on the distribution and life history of the Kern primrose sphinx
moth.] Available from: Sacramento Endangered Species Office,
Sacramento, CA.
05 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth
Recovery Plan - Agency Review Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Portland, OR. 40 pp.
References - 1