Hermes Copper (Lycaena hermes)
The Hermes Copper is a rare butterfly endemic to San Diego County and northern Baja California. This species is threatened by recent urbanization and wildfires throughout its range in the United States. In April of 2011 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) issued a 12-month finding which stated listing the Hermes Copper as threatened or endangered was warranted, and is currently on the USFWS list of candidate species. My research on this species started in 2003 and has been used for this status review as well as other monitoring and management activities.
Investigating Critical Biological Uncertainties Initial efforts included systematic surveys for Hermes Copper adults in 2003 with transect counts, followed by marking studies in 2004-2007. Surveys since 2008 were designed to assess presence/absence at most historical sites following wildfires in 2003 and 2007, and documented the extirpation of many local populations. Subsequent surveys have documented only two recolonizations. Dispersal across the landscape was assessed with genetic markers and required the development and testing of a non-lethal genetic sampling protocol. Recent Tasks As described above, the large wildfires in 2003 and 2007 led to the extirpation of many Hermes copper populations but 15 and 11 years after the fires, respectively, few recolonizations have occurred. I am working towards establishing effective translocation protocols for Hermes copper before the number of individuals and populations are reduced to critically low numbers. With the help of several field assistants and local biologists, we are searching many areas in San Diego County for unknown local populations. While the geographic range of the species is relatively well described, there is the possibility for yet to be discovered local populations. Research Tasks 1. Describe the distribution of Hermes Copper on conserved lands in San Diego County. 2. Estimate population sizes. 3. Investigate movement patterns, both within habitat patches and across the landscape. 4. Describe the biology of immature stages. 5. Collect adult abundance data at reference sites to develop a long-term data set. 6. Develop laboratory rearing protocols. 7. Re-establish a Hermes copper population in suitable habitat which was occupied prior to recent wildfires. |