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Current Status:

Three of the six remaining populations of the butterfly are considered secure and in stable condition. Threats to the species include loss or degradation of its open habitat due to woody plant growth, competition from exotic vegetation, fire suppression, and land development.

Achievements:

The Oregon silverspot butterfly populations at Mount Hebo, Cascade Head, and Rock Creek, Oregon, have responded favorably to habitat manipulation and are now considered secure. Butterfly habitat at Long Beach (Washington), Del Norte County (California), and Clatsop County (Oregon) is primarily on private lands. The Washington Department of Wildlife is currently securing habitat at Long Beach. At Clatsop Plains, the Fish and Wildlife Service is consulting with the Oregon Military Department to develop a habitat management plan for Camp Rilea. A section 7 consultation with the Federal Highway Administration bridge replacement project resulted in a biological opinion that the project, as planned, would jeopardize the butterfly. The adoption of a reasonable and prudent alternative to secure and manage 15 acres of habitat in the Central Coast area will allow the bridge replacement work to proceed. The Oregon Department of transportation is still identifying the area to secure.

Current Recovery Needs:

A revised recovery plan is needed, along with secured habitat, long-term habitat management, and continued monitoring.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

In FY 1992, the Oregon Natural Heritage Program was provided $14,000 to map current and potential habitat of the Oregon silverspot butterfly and to develop monitoring guidelines. Additionally, the Oregon Natural Heritage Program was provided $6,000 for habitat improvement Oregon's Clatsop Plains.

Partnerships

Forest Service: Since 1980, the Forest Service has managed four areas of Oregon silverspot butterfly habitat in the Siuslaw National Forest. Butterfly larvae were raised in captivity by an entomologist and released at Fairview Mountain in 1991. Since the release, adults have been observed in small numbers.

Oregon Natural Heritage Program: This State program is developing a generic conservation agreement that may be used with private landowners who are willing to participate in butterfly recovery activities or permit recovery activities on their lands. The State is also mapping habitat in Oregon with section 6 funding.

The Nature Conservancy: This private organization has conducted research on the silverspot butterfly and its habitat for many years.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 9/22/82.