Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Endangered Butterfly Species in Massachusetts

There are currently seven butterfly species listed by the state (or in the process of being listed) as endangered:

Quoting from the Massachusetts List of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species:

"Endangered" (E) species are native species which are in danger of extinction throughout all or part of their range, or which are in danger of extirpation from Massachusetts, as documented by biological research and inventory.

"Threatened" (T) species are native species which are likely to become endangered in the forseeable future, or which are declining or rare as determined by biological research and inventory.

"Special concern" (SC) species are native species which have been documented by biological research or inventory to have suffered a decline that could threaten the species if allowed to continue unchecked, or which occur in such small numbers or with such restricted distribution or specialized habitat requirements that they could easily become threatened within Massachusetts.

If you find these species, please take a photograph, note your location carefully, and use Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Vernal Pool & Rare Species reporting system to report your sighting.
Please note that you will have to register with the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program to make a report. It is worth the effort.