Pseudocopaeodes eunus is a rare species of butterfly known by the common name alkali skipper. It is native to northern California and Nevada in the United States,[1] and Baja California in Mexico.[2] There are five subspecies.[3] One, ssp. obscurus, the Carson wandering skipper, is treated as a federally listed endangered species of the United States. As of 2007 there are four known populations.[4]

Pseudocopaeodes eunus

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
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P. eunus
Binomial name
Pseudocopaeodes eunus
(Edwards, 1881)
Synonyms
  • Copaeodes eunus Edwards, 1881
  • Copaeodes wrightii Edwards, 1882
  • Copaeodes chromis Skinner, 1919

This butterfly is brownish to yellowish orange on the upper side and yellowish below. It is 2.5 to 3.2 centimeters in length.[2]

This species occurs on alkali flats. The caterpillar of the species feeds on saltgrass (Distichlis spicata var. stricta). There is little other information about the biology of the species.[1]

Subspecies

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  • Pseudocopaeodes eunus eunus
  • Pseudocopaeodes eunus alinea Scott, 1981
  • Pseudocopaeodes eunus chromis (Skinner, 1919) (Mexico)
  • Pseudocopaeodes eunus obscurus Austin & Emmel, 1998 (eastern California, Nevada)
  • Pseudocopaeodes eunus flavus Austin & Emmel, 1998 (Nevada)

References

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  1. ^ a b Pseudocopaeodes eunus. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. ^ a b Pseudocopaeodes eunus. Butterflies and Moths of North America.
  3. ^ USFWS. Determination of endangered status for the Carson Wandering Skipper. Federal Register August 7, 2002.
  4. ^ USFWS. Pseudocopaeodes eunus obscurus Recovery Plan. September 2007.
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