Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme): COSEWIC assessment and status report 2020

Official title: COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Aweme Borer Papaipema aweme in Canada

COSEWIC assessment summary

Assessment summary – November 2020

Common name: Aweme Borer

Scientific name: Papaipema aweme

Status: Data Deficient

Reason for designation: Until 2009, this moth was known from only a few sites in Canada. Misinterpreted habitat associations and assumptions with known collection sites led to many years of searching inaccurate habitats. In 2015, Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) was confirmed as the larval host plant, the moth’s primary habitat narrowed to fens or peatlands with quaking mats, and it was learned that the larvae live inside the stem, making detection difficult. New records from east-central Saskatchewan to the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, extended the geographic range of the species, suggesting the species is likely more common and widespread than previously understood. However, there is much unsurveyed suitable habitat within the moth’s range. The population size and trends are unknown. Given these unknowns its status has changed from Endangered to Data Deficient.

Occurrence: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario

Status history: Designated Endangered in April 2006. Species considered in November 2020 and placed in the Data Deficient category.

COSEWIC executive summary

Aweme Borer

Papaipema aweme

Wildlife species description and significance

Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme) is a noctuid moth with a wingspan of 33–37 mm. The forewing is light brown with darker brown markings and the hindwings are pale yellow white. Larvae have pale unbroken lateral stripes.

Distribution

The global range of Aweme Borer extends from central Saskatchewan east through Manitoba to Ontario and southwards into the United States through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and New York. Globally, there are 22 subpopulations. The global range could be much larger due to extensive potential habitat that has not been surveyed.

The Canadian range is from southern Ontario west through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In Canada, there are 13 subpopulations (12 extant and one presumed extirpated due to lack of suitable habitat). The species is likely in Alberta, although there have yet to be records to confirm this possibility.

Search effort

Prior to 2005, Aweme Borer habitat was poorly known, and the species had not been documented for 70 years. Between 2009 and 2015, the species’ dependence on peatland habitat became apparent, and its host plant, Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), confirmed. Since 2015, nine new subpopulations have been recorded in Canada.

Habitat

Aweme Borer inhabits open to sparsely treed rich graminoid fen with a quaking mat or with shallow standing water. Habitats are variable and include large open fens, fen channels through treed wetlands, and lake shoreline peatlands. All habitats contain the larval host plant, Bog Buckbean, and are dominated by Woolly-fruited Sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) and other sedges. Some habitats are within peatland complexes over 15 km² in size.

Biology

Aweme Borer has an annual life cycle and one flight period per year, starting in late August and lasting longer in the United States. The eggs overwinter and larvae hatch sometime in the spring. Larvae are monophagous on Bog Buckbean and are presumed to pupate on or inside the host plant stems. Adults, mainly females, can disperse several kilometres from larval habitat. It is unlikely the population is severely fragmented.

Population sizes and trends

There are insufficient data on Aweme Borer abundance or distribution to assess fluctuations or trends in Canada or elsewhere in the species’ global range. Evidence for large abundance is limited; however, at one collection site more than 150 adults were observed during one survey date. Rescue is considered possible due to dispersal potential and proximity of one subpopulation that straddles the international border. The number of subpopulations and the extent of Canadian and global ranges are expected to increase with additional search effort.

Threats and limiting factors

Aweme Borer has a wide range and most subpopulations are in natural areas with few immediate threats. The main threats to the southernmost Aweme Borer subpopulation (#11) include ecosystem modifications that change due to the spread of native and non-native plants. The impacts of climate change or development that alter peatland and fen hydrology have the potential to impact larval development. Habitat that is too dry can induce premature host plant senescence and larval mortality because the larvae are borers and rely on the host plant moisture to remain alive while in the stem. Alternately, prolonged flooding drowns the plants and the larvae. Some of these impacts could occur through habitat shifting and drought as a result of climate change, which at present is a likely threat with unknown scope and severity.

Protection, status and ranks

Aweme Borer is listed as Endangered on Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), and listed under the Ontario Endangered Species Act 2007 (ESA). The species is not legally protected under provincial acts in Saskatchewan or Manitoba.

Aweme Borer is ranked globally and nationally vulnerable to apparently secure (G3G4 and N3N4, respectively). The species is ranked Unknown in Ontario (SU) and Manitoba (SU). In Saskatchewan the species has not been ranked (SNR). The host plant is not at risk. One subpopulation is in an Ontario provincial park, one is on a Canadian military base, one is on private property, and two are presumed to be on municipal property. Seven subpopulations are on provincial Crown land.

Technical summary

Papaipema aweme
Aweme Borer
Perce-tige d’Aweme
Range of occurrence in Canada: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario

Quantitative analysis

Is the probability of extinction in the wild at least [20% within 20 years or 5 generations, or 10% within 100 years]? Not applicable; insufficient data

Threats

Was a threats calculator completed for this species? Yes, see Table 4. Assigned Low impact.

7.3 Ecosystem modifications from European and American Reed (Invasive & Native Phragmites) – Low impact

11.1 Habitat shifting & alteration – Unknown impact

11.2 Droughts – Unknown impact

What additional limiting factors are relevant?

• Dispersal capability, weather, factors that influence host plant abundance and distribution

Data sensitive species

Is this a data sensitive species? No

Status History

COSEWIC: Designated Endangered in April 2006. Species considered in November 2020 and placed in the Data Deficient category.

Rescue effect (immigration from outside Canada)

Status: Data Deficient

Reasons for designation: Until 2009, this moth was known from only a few sites in Canada. Misinterpreted habitat associations and assumptions with known collection sites led to many years of searching inaccurate habitats. In 2015, Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) was confirmed as the larval host plant, the moth’s primary habitat narrowed to fens or peatlands with quaking mats, and it was learned that the larvae live inside the stem, making detection difficult. New records from east-central Saskatchewan to the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, extended the geographic range of the species, suggesting the species is likely more common and widespread than previously understood. However, there is much unsurveyed suitable habitat within the moth’s range. The population size and trends are unknown. Given these unknowns its status has changed from Endangered to Data Deficient.

Applicability of criteria

Criterion A (Decline in Total Number of Mature Individuals):

Not applicable. Insufficient data to detect a population decline and no compelling evidence of a decline in EOO, IAO or habitat quality in the last 10 years.

Criterion B (Small Distribution Range and Decline or Fluctuation):

Not applicable. Meets B2 for IAO (56 km²) but not severely fragmented and no evidence of continuing decline or extreme fluctuations.

Criterion C (Small and Declining Number of Mature Individuals):

Not applicable. Number of mature individuals is unknown.

Criterion D (Very Small or Restricted Population):

Not applicable. Number of mature individuals is unknown and IAO and number of locations exceed threshold for Threatened under D2.

Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis):

Not applicable. Insufficient data for quantitative analysis.

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, provides full administrative and financial support to the COSEWIC Secretariat.

Preface

Aweme Borer was first assessed as Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in April 2006 and listed on Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) in December 2007.

Prior to the first COSEWIC (2006) status assessment, the moth had only been collected once since 1936 and was globally known from five additional historical sites (7 total). The lack of collection and habitat data associated with older museum specimens made it difficult to target search effort in habitats most likely to support the moth. Inaccurate habitat interpretations and assumptions associated with the seven known collection sites led to many years of searches in the wrong habitats. Inaccurate habitats surveyed included mixed grass prairie (Roughley 2000); degraded Bur Oak savanna (Jones pers. obs. 2016); oak savanna (Friends of Pinery Provincial Park 2019), and sand dune sites based on the sandy hills around Aweme and the sandy colour of the moth (COSEWIC 2006). In 2015, Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) was confirmed as the larval host plant (Johnson et al. 2016) and the moth’s prime habitat was also narrowed to fens or peatlands with quaking mats (Johnson et al. 2016; Johnson 2019). These habitats are in great contrast to the habitats thought to be associated with the historical collection sites, although all the historical sites have the presence of the host plant (COSEWIC 2006; Johnson et al. 2016). Subsequent targeted search effort has recorded nine new sites in Canada, bringing the total to 12 extant subpopulations. The large potential range of the host plant and large areas of fen and peatland habitat throughout Boreal Canada, combined with lack of search effort for this moth throughout this Boreal range, suggest the status of the moth has changed since its initial assessment in 2006.

COSEWIC history

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list. On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body ensuring that species will continue to be assessed under a rigorous and independent scientific process.

COSEWIC mandate

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.

COSEWIC membership

COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist subcommittees and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species.

Definitions

(2020)

Wildlife Species
A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.

Extinct (X)
A wildlife species that no longer exists.

Extirpated (XT)

A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.

Endangered (E)
A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened (T)
A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

Special Concern (SC)*
A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Not at Risk (NAR)**
A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.

Data Deficient (DD)***
A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the species’ risk of extinction.

* Formerly described as “Vulnerable” from 1990 to 1999, or “Rare” prior to 1990.

** Formerly described as “Not In Any Category”, or “No Designation Required.”

*** Formerly described as “Indeterminate” from 1994 to 1999 or “ISIBD” (insufficient scientific information on which to base a designation) prior to 1994. Definition of the (DD) category revised in 2006.

Wildlife species description and significance

Name and classification

Order: Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies)

Superfamily: Noctuoidea

Family: Noctuidae (Owlet or Cutworm Family)

Subfamily: Noctuinae (as per Lafontaine and Schmidt 2010)

Tribe: Apameini (Borers)

Genus: Papaipema Smith

Species: Papaipema aweme (Lyman 1908)

Scientific name: Papaipema aweme

English common name: Aweme Borer

French common name: Perce-tige d’Aweme

There are no named subspecies (Quinter 1983).

Synonyms: Gortyna aweme Lyman (1908)

Type specimen: Holotype female, from Aweme, Manitoba. Deposited in the Lyman Entomological Museum, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, Montréal, Quebec.

The genus Papaipema Smith is one of the largest noctuid genera endemic to North America, with at least 48 described species (Lafontaine and Schmidt 2010) and five undescribed species (Goldstein and Quinter 2003). Twenty-seven described species occur in Canada (CBIF 2014; Pohl et al. 2018). The genus achieves its greatest diversity in eastern North America (Goldstein and Quinter 2003), although is found throughout most of temperate North America.

Aweme Borer appears to have no closely related species and is not part of a species complex or a group of sibling species. There is no evidence to suggest the characteristics defining the species are questionable (Lafontaine pers. comm. 2006).

Morphological description

Adults

Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme (Lyman) is a medium-sized moth with a wingspan of 33–37 mm (front cover photo). The forewings are light brown, darkening slightly near the base. There are also darker brown lines towards the base and one of these lines is solid and curves inward towards the wing base as it nears the front edge of the forewing. The other line is a series of non-solid bars. The fringes and adjacent terminal areas of the forewings are dark brown. Several dark brown spots, similar in size and shape, may be present, reduced to a small dark ring, or absent. The hind wings are a pale yellow-white and are unmarked or faintly marked (Lyman 1908). Both sexes appear similar (Johnson pers. comm. 2019).

Aweme Borer is similar in appearance to other Papaipema, which are difficult to identify. In general, Aweme Borer is smaller, paler, and has fainter markings than other species in the genus (cf.^{Footnote 1} photos in Handfield 2011). Similar species include the Pitcher Plant Borer (P. apassionata) which occurs in the same habitats as Aweme Borer and overlaps in flight period but has distinct orange and white forewing markings.

Larvae

Larvae (Figure 1) are 30–31 mm long and have pale dorsal and subdorsal stripes which are unbroken on abdominal segments 1–4 (Johnson et al. 2017; McBride and Wiker 2017). As the larvae mature, these markings fade (McBride and Wiker 2017), like development in other Papaipema species (Hessel 1954). Larvae have minute raised bumps on the integument and a pale overall colouration, two features that distinguish this species from other Papaipema (McBride and Wiker 2017).

Figure 1. Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme) larva extracted from the stem of Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), Deschambault Lake (#1), Saskatchewan, July 19, 2019. Photograph by K.E. Johnson.

Pupae

Pupae are typical of the genus, with the thoracic section wider than the abdominal section (McBride and Wiker 2017).

Eggs

The eggs are 0.5 mm wide by 0.3 mm high, slightly flattened and have fine longitudinal ridges. They are white/cream when laid, and if fertile, darken to light tan in a few days (McBride pers. comm. 2020).

Population spatial structure and variability

The population spatial structure and variability of Aweme Borer has not been studied in Canada or the United States. No genetic work has been done on the species.

Designatable units

Aweme Borer has one designatable unit in Canada. The moth ranges through parts of the Boreal Plains and Boreal Shield ecozones, and the northern parts of the Prairies and Mixedwood Plains ecozones. There are no subspecies nor local phenotypical differences and no information on population genetic structure.

Special significance

Aweme Borer is not an agricultural pest. There is no information to suggest that it has or has had any cultural or economic significance to Indigenous peoples. Due to its rarity and unknown life history, Aweme Borer has received a lot of attention by both amateur and professional lepidopterists (COSEWIC 2006; Morton pers. comm. 2006; Stead pers. comm. 2016).

Distribution

Global range

The global range of Aweme Borer extends from central Saskatchewan east to Manitoba, Ontario and southwards through northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York (Figure 2). The global range is uncertain and could be larger due to the potential habitat and range of the moth’s larval host plant within the Canadian boreal regions (Scoggan 1979), most of which have not been surveyed for moths (Schmidt pers. comm. 2019).

Figure 2. Global range of Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme). Data sources COSEWIC (2006), Jones (2015), Johnson (2017), Johnson et al. (2017), Johnson (2019), Johnson pers. comm. (2019). Map by Sydney Allen (COSEWIC Secretariat).

Globally, there are 23 known subpopulations^{Footnote 2}: 21 extant, one historical^{Footnote 3} and two extirpated^{Footnote 4} (Tables 1 and 2). Thirteen subpopulations are in Canada and ten in the United States. The global range and the number of subpopulations has increased since the first COSEWIC (2006) status report due in part to confirmation of the species’ larval host plant, and specific fen and peatland habitat, and subsequent targeted search effort within those habitats.

Canadian range

The Canadian range of Aweme Borer extends from Deschambault Lake in central Saskatchewan east through central Manitoba and south to Manitoulin Island and Grand Bend, Ontario (Figure 3).

There are 13 Aweme Borer subpopulations in Canada: 12 extant/historical^{Footnote 5} (#1 - 12) and extirpated (#13) (Figure 3; Table 1). The 12 extant/historical subpopulations include one in Saskatchewan, eight in Manitoba and three in Ontario. The extirpated subpopulation is recorded from Grand Bend, Ontario.

Figure 3. Canadian range and subpopulations of Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme) (see Table 1). Data sources: COSEWIC (2006), Jones (2015), Johnson (2017), Johnson et al. (2017), Johnson (2019), Johnson pers. comm. (2019). Map by Sydney Allen (COSEWIC Secretariat).

There is one museum record from Aweme (#4) in 1905 that is technically historical^{Footnote 3} however is considered extant. The site^{Footnote 7} of the 1905 collection is unknown, but a tamarack bog in an oxbow of the Assiniboine River is known to have been frequented by the historical collector (Bird pers. comm. 2019). Apparently suitable habitat is shown on satellite imagery, and although not surveyed within the past 20-30 years, this subpopulation is considered extant based on the appearance of suitable habitat on this satellite imagery.

Subpopulations have been defined using a 5 km separation distance^{Footnote 8}; all collection sites within a 5 km diameter and linked by continuous habitat are considered one subpopulation unless there is a barrier of unsuitable habitat (see Habitat). Aweme Borer females are known to disperse at least 5 km from larval habitat (see Dispersal), although without records to confirm presence between habitats, subpopulations are considered separate. To date, all but two collecting points are separated by a minimum of 20 km. The collecting points at Deschambault Lake (#1a and 1b) are 3 km apart and located along a road through semi-continuous habitat and considered one subpopulation.

The host plant, Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) is Holarctic (Nylén 1993), and in Canada ranges in portions of all provinces and territories (Broulliet et al. 2010) and extends to the southern edge of the tundra around 70° N (Scoggan 1979). The Canadian range extent of Aweme Borer may be larger based on the range extent of the larval host plant, and a better understanding of the species’ bog habitat (see Habitat). It is highly probable the species extends into the northcentral portions of Alberta (Johnson 2019) and more northerly boreal portions of Ontario. However, many lepidoptera have a geographic range that is much smaller than the range extent of their host plant: there are additional factors that limit a species’ distribution.

Extent of occurrence and area of occupancy

The extent of occurrence (EOO) of Aweme Borer is approximately 663 748 km² using a minimum convex polygon encompassing all known subpopulations. The EOO within Canada’s extent of jurisdiction is 643 879 km². The index of area of occupancy (IAO), based on the number of occupied 2 x 2 km grid squares, is 52 km² (Figure 4). There is potential for both EOO and IAO to increase with additional search effort (see Habitat and Search Effort).

Figure 4. Global and Canadian extent of occurrence (EOO) and index of area of occupancy (IAO). Map by Sydney Allen (COSEWIC Secretariat).

Since the first status report (2006) and recent search effort (see Table 1, 2 and 3), global EOO has increased by approximately 78% and Canadian EOO by more than 120% (based on newly plotted minimum convex polygons of the former known range, not on values in COSEWIC (2006)).

The largest distance between known Canadian subpopulations is ∼2300 km, the distance between Deschambault Lake (#1) and Richmond Fen (#12). The shortest distance between subpopulations is ∼20 km between Aweme (#4) and Epinette Creek (#5).

Search effort

Aweme Borer collection and sight records in Canada (both adult and larval observations) date from 1905 to 2020. Aweme Borer was first collected in 1905 at Aweme (#4), Manitoba and described from these specimens (Lyman 1908). Globally, the moth was collected at three additional sites: 1925 (Beaver Island, Michigan), 1932 (Rochester, New York) and 1936 (Grand Bend [#13], Ontario). The most recent records in Canada were collected in 2019 from Deschambault Lake (#1), Reed River Peatlands (#9), St. Labre Creek (#6) and in 2020 from Richmond Fen (#12) (Table 1 and 2).

For almost 70 years, Aweme Borer was not recorded in Canada until in 2005, the species was recorded from Pike Lake (#11), Manitoulin Island, Ontario (COSEWIC 2006; Jones 2015). In 2015, Bog Buckbean was confirmed as the larval host plant and the moth’s primary habitat fens or peatland (see Habitat) (Johnson et al. 2016; Johnson 2019). Until this host plant and habitat knowledge was acquired, the lack of collection and habitat data associated with older museum specimens made it difficult to target specific habitats to survey for this moth. Misinterpretations and assumptions about habitats associated with the seven known collection sites^{Note de bas de page 7} led to many years of searching inaccurate habitat types. Inaccurate habitats included mixed grass prairie (#4 Aweme) (Roughley 2000); degraded Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) savannah (#11 Pike Lake) (Jones pers. obs. 2016); oak savannah (#13 Grand Bend) (Friends of Pinery Provincial Park 2019), and sand dune sites based on the sandy hills around Aweme (#4) and the sandy colour of the moth (COSEWIC 2006). These habitats are in great contrast to the fen and peatland habitats where Aweme Borer is known to occur, although all have the presence of the host plant at or nearby the collection site (COSEWIC 2006; Johnson et al. 2016).

Search effort methods

Aweme Borer is surveyed using a variety of methods. Adults are trapped by bucket light traps^{Footnote 9}, light and sheet trapping^{Footnote 10} or by hand-netting^{Footnote 11}during wandering transects. The selection of trap sites is somewhat limited by the distance a person can carry awkward moth traps and heavy batteries into a fen, while walking in deep peat or on a quaking mat (e.g., typically less than 100 m from a trail or road). Larvae are surveyed by visual searches during wandering transects^{Footnote 11} that specifically target host plants. Larval surveys are completed from late June to mid-July and target wilted host plants with holes and frass on the stem (Figure 5 and 6) (Johnson 2019). Larval searches generally span a larger spatial area than light trap search effort. Although adults can also be surveyed by wandering transect, this method is not typical for this nocturnal moth.

Figure 5. Wilted leaves of Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) are a potential sign of Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme) larval presence. Observation at Deschambault Lake (#1), Saskatchewan, July 19, 2019. Photograph by Kyle E. Johnson.

Figure 6. Frass outside the lower stem of Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) is a sign of Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme) larval presence within the stem. Observation at Deschambault Lake (#1), Saskatchewan, July 19, 2019. Photograph by Kyle E. Johnson).

Stand and landscape level biophysical attributes of Marbled Murrel

From 2014 to 2019, 34 sites in Canada were surveyed over at least 96 trap nights and at least 12 day-time larval searches (Tables 1, 2 and 3). During this time, more than 160 adult specimens were collected from 10 Canadian sites^{Note de bas de page 1} (Table 1). Searches span multiple years, and in the beginning the surveyors were not confident about the habitat, host plant or evidence left by larval activity. As surveys progressed (e.g., 2015 and 2016) these search factors were refined and search effort efficiency increased. Some of this recent (since the first COSEWIC [2006] status report) search effort is summarized below:

• Saskatchewan 2016:
  • adult and larval surveys at 2 sites; 1 trap per site = 2 trap nights; 17 adult Aweme Borer confirmed over the two sites (#1a, 1b) (Johnson et al. 2016)
• Manitoba 2016:
  • adult trapping, First Central Lake (#2),1 light trap for one night and confirmation of Aweme Borer (Johnson et al. 2016)
  • one day of larval surveys and confirmation of Aweme Borer at Pine Creek Peatland (#8) in June (Johnson et al. 2016)
  • adult trapping, two sites for a minimum of one night sometime from 2005 to 2016 (date not specified) (Johnson et al. 2016)
  • six sites within habitats with high suitability; 2 traps/site from Aug 30 to Sept 1 (2 nights) = 24 trap nights; no Aweme Borer (Murray and Friesen 2016)
• Ontario 2016:
  • adult trapping at 18 sites (including Manitoulin Island, #11) from August 11 to September 9 recorded no Aweme Borer (Jones et al. unpubl. data). Poor weather and trapping outside the flight period may have contributed null results and experts believe the species may still be present
  • in the same year, Aweme Borer adults were collected on August 28 on the Lake Superior shoreline in Bayfield County, Wisconsin (Johnson et al. 2017)
  • agassiz Peatland (#10), one trap for one night; 1 adult moth recorded (Johnson et al. 2016). Two additional sites for a minimum of one night sometime from 2005 – 2016 (date unclear) (Johnson et al. 2016)
  • surveys at Grand Bend Area (#13). The general area of the 1936 Grand Bend subpopulation (#13), which is presumed extirpated (Table 1), was surveyed for the host plant and suitable habitat in 2016 (Jones 2016). Thedford Bog was the likely collection site of this specimen (C. Jones pers. comm. 2020). No habitat or host plants are present in Pinery Provincial Park (Friends of Pinery Provincial Park 2019) or shoreline habitat adjacent to the park. The surrounding landscape is agricultural with little wetland habitat. The host plant occurs in a small private nature reserve (Crosthwaite pers. comm. 2020; iNaturalist 2020), but the plants appear too small to support developing larvae (Stead pers. comm. 2020). This private nature reserve and numerous additional sites throughout the Grand Bend/Lambton Shores have been moth trapped for decades without recording Aweme Borer (Stead pers. comm. 2020)
• Manitoba and Saskatchewan 2017:.
  • adult trapping at 35 sites. Aweme Borer was recorded at five sites (#1, 2, 3, 5, 7) (Johnson 2017). Presence at other sites is possible; null results may be due to poor weather and search effort outside the adult flight period
• Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba 2019:
  • larval surveys at 16 sites from July 15 to 20 across a 1450 km span from central Alberta to southeastern Manitoba. Aweme Borer was recorded at 2 of 14 sites (#1a, 1b) (Johnson 2019)
• Manitoba 2019:
  • adult trapping for one night (August 23-24) at two sites with two traps per site = 4 trap nights. Adults were recorded at both sites (#6, 9) (Johnson 2019)
• Ontario 2020:
  • larval surveys in 2020 at Richmond Fen, eastern Ontario’s largest fen complex and within the Ottawa area, recorded Aweme larvae (Schmidt pers. comm. 2020)

Potential range extent

In Ontario, no trapping is known from the vast wetlands in the boreal region or Hudson Bay lowlands during the flight period of Aweme Borer (Schmidt pers. comm. 2019). The host plant is abundant in the James and Hudson Bay lowlands and it is likely the moth could occur within these inaccessible and infrequently collected areas.

In Alberta, there are extensive areas of potential fen and peatland habitat within the Boreal portions of the province, including the northcentral regions and it is possible the moth could occur in these areas (Johnson 2019). Trapping during 2019 did not record the moth in Alberta; however, reconnaissance of various habitats suggests the moth is likely to be recorded with future search effort (Johnson 2019). The moth has not been recorded from Wagner Fen (one of few fens surveyed) during surveys from 1998 to 2000 and is unlikely to occur within this habitat (Schmidt pers. comm. 2019).

Aweme #4 historical/extant subpopulation

Charles Bird (pers. comm. 2019) spent time at the Criddle Homestead in his youth, including trapping moths with Ralph Bird (his father) and Norman Criddle, the collector of 1905 Aweme #4 record. Charles Bird recommends the most likely site of the 1905 Aweme collection is a “tamarack bog” in an oxbow of the Assiniboine River, which was a favourite place for Norman Criddle to visit. This habitat is much closer to the Criddle Homestead than the Epinette Creek Peatlands (#5), which is more than 20 km from Aweme (#4). The tamarack bog has not been resurveyed but suitable habitat is visible based on satellite imagery. Based on this information and the known habits of Aweme Borer, the subpopulation is considered extant.

Habitat

Habitat requirements

Aweme Borer habitat includes fens, peatland and muskeg with a deep, water-logged layer of dead and decaying plant material (peat). More specifically, the moth has been collected in open to sparsely treed, rich, graminoid fen, dominated by sedges in a quaking mat or in shallow standing water (Figure 7). The vegetation may be patterned, with ribs or “strings” of vegetation alternating with depressions or hollows (i.e., flarks) of shallow water.

Figure 7. Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme) habitat; a graminoid rich fen with abundant Bog Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), Deschambault Lake, Saskatchewan, July 19, 2019. Photograph by Kyle E. Johnson.

The classification of peat-based vegetation into either bog or fen community types depends on whether the water is from rain (bogs) or in part from ground water with greater mineral content (fens) (Glaser 1992; Lee et al. 1998). In the Canadian National Vegetation Classification (2019) the habitat may fall within vegetation community type M877 North American Boreal & Sub-boreal Alkaline Fen or type M876 North American Boreal & Sub-boreal Acidic Bog and Fen. In the Ontario ecological land classification system (see Lee et al. 1998; Banton et al. 2015; Webster et al. 2015), the habitat may fall within several Boreal or Great Lakes St. Lawrence fen types that range from semi-treed or shrubby to completely herbaceous and may also include shore fen types.

Aweme Borer requires the larval host plant Bog Buckbean and is likely monophagous on this plant. Captive-reared larvae placed on potato (often used as an alternate food on which to rear larvae) ceased feeding after a few days and until they had Bog Buckbean where they completed their development. Larvae have been observed on large (20–30 cm tall) Bog Buckbean plants rooted in a quaking sedge mat or sedge mat covered with shallow standing water. To date, larvae have not been found on host plants rooted in other substrates, such as Sphagnum or brown mosses (Amblystegiaceae) (Johnson et al. 2017). The host plant is considered an indicator species for fens and minerotrophic^{Footnote 12} hydrology of the habitat (Banton et al. 2015).

Woolly-fruited Sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) is predominant, with a great diversity of other sedges. There are also raised hummocks of Sphagnum mosses with stunted Tamarack (Larix laricina) and Black Spruce (Picea mariana) as well as ericaceous and other shrubs. The structure of the habitat may vary and can be a large open area, an open channel through treed wetland (especially the spring-fen channel of Glaser [1992]) or a coastal peatland. Some habitats are in peatland complexes over 15 km² in size, while others were in smaller fens or channels. Habitat structure does not correlate with latitude as the different types of habitat structure are also found in Minnesota.

Although Bog Buckbean may be widespread in peatlands, larvae are often localized, perhaps the result of an unknown microhabitat parameter. Host plants are typically submerged in water, and water depth may be a factor in larval distribution. Larvae have been observed on the petioles of plants with only their tops above water. However, when the pith of the petiole was consumed these larvae likely drowned trying to abandon the plant or reach the larger stem. In shallower water, larvae that were able to enter the plant in the main stem continued boring down into the crown and the rhizome even though these parts of the plant were under water (McBride and Wiker 2017). In addition, water levels during and after oviposition may play a role in localization of larvae because eggs would need to be placed on the host plant or on the ground in situations that would remain above water from fall to late spring. It is possible that fens with floating mats which move up and down with the water table could be the most suitable habitat since the host plants are less likely to be inundated (Johnson pers. comm. 2019).

The Canadian range covers a great expanse of latitude, which must translate to broad differences in habitat parameters at the range extremes. Parameters that would vary with latitude might include amount of snow cover, spring thaw dates, depth of water after thaw, summer temperatures, day length, and date of first frost in the fall. These factors affect life history development.

Habitat trends

Overall habitat trends

There is little recent habitat trend data for Aweme Borer habitats in Canada. In 2010, approximately 1.1 million km² of peatlands were mapped in Canada (12% of Canada’s land area). Over 90% of Canadian peatland area was considered intact at that date (Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2010). However, peatland habitat loss within the previous 20–40 years included areas flooded for hydroelectric dams, drained for forestry or peat mining, converted to agriculture, or heavily disturbed from oil sands mining. Climate change is predicted to impact peatlands by changing the ecosystems hydrology, thereby leading to prolonged or increased flooding or drying of these ecosystems (Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2010).

The Boreal Shield stretches from Saskatchewan to Newfoundland; five Aweme Borer subpopulations (#2, 6, 8, 9 and 10) are within this ecozone. Between 1980 and 2000 approximately 250 km² of peatlands were drained for forestry and some peatlands were converted to agriculture or used for cranberry cultivation (ESTR Secretariat 2014c).

In the Boreal Plains in Manitoba (#3, 7), a comparison of a Landsat imagery between 1986–1992 and 2000–2002 shows a loss of approximately 15% of marshes and fens and 10% of treed and open bogs. In this ecozone in Saskatchewan (#1) wetlands in general declined 5% between 1985–2001 and 52% of wetlands were observed to be unused by humans (ESTR Secretariat 2014a).

In the Prairie ecozone in Manitoba (#4, 5), there was extensive historical wetland loss from agricultural land conversion; 3% of original wetlands remain. More recently, in a study of a watershed southwest of Brandon, 21% of that watershed’s wetland area was lost between 1968 and 2005 (ESTR Secretariat 2014b).

In the Mixedwood Plains ecozone, specifically in the Escarpment zone of Ontario which includes Manitoulin Island (#11), only 3.51% of wetland cover was peatlands (0.1% fen; 3.5% bog) in 2009 (ESTR Secretariat 2016). Manitoulin Island was not included in analyses of wetland loss in the ecozone, but from 1988 to 2000 at least two sites in shore fens containing the host plant were lost to cottage development (Morton and Venn 1984; Jones pers. obs. 1990–2019).

Overall, the range and extent of potential Aweme Borer habitat includes vast areas of intact peatlands, especially in northern ecozones. The general decline in wetlands probably has greater impact in southern regions where fen and peatland habitat are limited. However, with ample intact habitat still available in the north, conditions in Canada are not declining from resource extraction. Several other human activities currently affect peatlands (see Threats).

Subpopulation habitat trends

At Turtle Lake (#11) large areas of habitat have ingrown with Phragmites spp. (both Phragmites australis ssp. australis and ssp. americanus) (Jones pers. obs. 1997–2016) (see Threats). There has been an increase in bulrushes (Schoenoplectus validus and S. acutus) and a decrease in Woolly-fruited Sedge and other fen sedges. However, some areas of intact fen with the host plant were still present in 2016 (Jones pers. obs. 2016). It is unknown whether habitat loss or degradation has affected Aweme Borer habitat at this subpopulation.

At Grand Bend (#13), the 1936 collection site is assumed to be Thedford Bog, a 7000-ha wetland east of the Ausable River that contained 250–350 ha of floating bog. This wetland was drained for agriculture in 1955 (Lambton County Museums 2020). The historical loss of habitat may have caused the extirpation of this subpopulation.

At Aweme (#4) tamarack bog/fen habitat is visible on satellite imagery in oxbows of the Assiniboine River approximately 4 km from the presumed collection site (i.e., Criddle Homestead). However, there is also evidence of peat mining in the habitat at several places along the river. It is unknown whether or how much former habitat may have been lost.

Biology

Information below is summarized from Johnson (2017), Johnson et al. (2017), McBride and Wiker (2017; about the larvae) and Johnson (pers. comm. 2019). Information that applies to the genus Papaipemacomes from sources cited in the text.

All Papaipemahave larvae that are endophagous plant borers. The larvae chew into the roots, stems, or rhizomes of plants with soft, thick tissue to feed and shelter inside. Adults are nocturnal (Covell 1984). It is unknown whether Aweme Borer adults feed. However, adult Papaipemahave functional mouthparts and have been netted on flowers, so most likely obtain nectar from one or more species of plants.

Life cycle and reproduction

Papaipema species have a one-year life cycle and grow through complete metamorphosis with four life stages; egg, larva, pupa, and adult (Covell 1984). Adult Papaipema moths live for approximately two weeks (Bird 1934) and have one flight period per year. The flight period of Aweme Borer in Canada is from August 13 to 29 based on museum and observation records (Table 1). The August 29 date is represented by a worn-out individual which is an indication this date is towards the end of the flight period in Canada. The flight period in the United States is from August 7 to September 10.

After mating, adult females loosely drop eggs in the vicinity of the host plant or oviposit the eggs directly on the host plant. Adults die following mating and oviposition. The eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring. Given the wetland habitat of Aweme Borer and the propensity for the host plant to be in standing water for parts of the year, eggs are likely oviposited on the host plant or somewhere above water where the larvae can reach the host plant without drowning.

Trapping events suggest adults are active at 7°–19°C although the highest abundance of moths observed was between 14°–17°C. Adults have been observed at light sheets between 9:30 pm and 5:30 am, suggesting they are active all through the night.

The larvae of Aweme Borer bore into the stem and upper petioles of Bog Buckbean, where they also pupate within or on the leaf sheaths. Captive observations from larvae reared indoors at 20°C show fast larval growth, entering the pupal phase 7–9 days after ceasing to feed, and pupation lasting 17–18 days (McBride and Wiker 2017). Aweme Borer larvae appear not to aestivate unlike other species of Papaipema that aestivate to delay adult emergence to fall. Larval growth and development in the wild have not been observed. Given the wet peat substrate, it seems unlikely that this species would pupate on or in the ground. See Table 1 for larval observation dates.

Physiology and adaptability

There is no information about the physiology and adaptability of Aweme Borer. The moth primarily ranges in boreal regions, the egg can survive low winter temperatures, and the adult appears to tolerate cool temperatures during the later part of its flight period.

Dispersal and migration

Male moths in the genus Papaipema generally do not travel far and are mostly found within a few hundred metres of the larval site, while females after laying eggs have been observed to travel five or more kilometres (Schweitzer 2001; Quinter pers. comm. 2014; Johnson pers. comm. 2020). In Minnesota, Aweme Borer has been recorded 8-10 km from host plant sites (Johnson pers. comm. 2019). The specimen from Pike Lake (#11) was a male and not collected in suitable habitat.

Female dispersal may influence the sex ratio captures and may be the reason historical collections, which were made outside the habitat, were mostly female. The sex ratio of captures between 2014-2019 is variable. Males are usually dominant within the habitat; for example, one light trap at Epinette Creek (#5) in 2017 caught a male-female ratio of 16:1. Females can be more prevalent later in the flight period or outside the habitat (Johnson pers. comm. 2019). Despite dispersal ability, in some subpopulations Aweme Borer seems to be localized within large peatland habitats with extensive, apparently suitable habitat.

Aweme Borer subpopulations are not considered severely fragmented^{Footnote 13}. Most known subpopulations are from large habitat polygons. It seems unlikely that most of the Canadian abundance could be in habitats too small to support a viable population.

Interspecific interactions

Little is known about parasites and/or parasitoids that may affect the survival of Aweme Borer. A tachinid fly (Tachinidae) was collected from Aweme Borer in Minnesota, but the specimen was accidentally destroyed before it could be identified (Johnson pers. comm. 2019). The SARA-listed Endangered Bogbean Buckmoth (Hemileuca sp.) also uses Bog Buckbean as a host. Bogbean Buckmoth also occurs within Richmond Fen (#12). Other invertebrates use Bog Buckbean as a host plant, including an unidentified micro-lepidopteran that bores into the stem (Johnson 2019).

Population sizes and trends

Sampling effort and methods

Surveys to date for Aweme Borer have focused on recording the species’ presence, habitat preferences and other natural history information. These surveys have not included methods that would provide estimates of population sizes or trends.

Abundance

Aweme Borer abundance estimates are not available. The few data available, including maximum counts, are from individual collection dates/events and not possible to compare across time (Table 1). Larval searches in 2019 at the American subpopulation at Red Lake, Minnesota found more than 100 larvae over several kilometres (Table 2; Johnson 2019), and more than 100 adults were recorded at St. Labre Peatlands (#6) (Table 1; Johnson 2019). Both collection events show evidence the species can be locally abundant.

Fluctuations and trends

There is insufficient data to assess fluctuations or trends (Table 1). Few sites have been revisited and surveys to date have focused on confirming the species’ presence, recording new subpopulations and natural history information.

Rescue effect

Rescue from Aweme Moth subpopulations in the United States is likely. The Pine Creek subpopulation (#8, Figure 3 and 4) straddles the Manitoba-Minnesota has been recorded on both sides of the international border and habitat between the two collection sites is contiguous (Johnson pers. comm. 2015). The Aweme Borer site at Red Lake (Minnesota) is approximately 65 km from the Canadian subpopulation at Pine Creek (#8) and intervening habitat appears contiguous between these sites. Two other Canadian subpopulations (Sundown #7 and Reed River #9) are within 30 km of Pine Creek (#8) and there is the possibility intervening habitat could hold undocumented subpopulations and/or provide a habitat corridor.

Threats and limiting factors

Threats

Threats to Aweme Borer were assessed based on the IUCN-CMP (International Union for Conservation of Nature-Conservation Measures Partnership) unified threats classification system (Master et al. 2012). Threats are defined as the proximate activities or processes that directly and negatively affect the Canadian population of Aweme Borer.

Aweme Borer has an extensive geographic range and most subpopulations are in natural areas with few direct threats. There are few threats to Aweme Borer. Threats to Aweme Borer include ecosystem modifications from the spread of native and non-native plants (7.3). The impacts of climate change that alter peatland and fen hydrology may affect the larvae by resulting in habitat that is too dry for host plant growth or in prolonged flooding which drowns the plants and the larvae. Some of these impacts could occur through habitat shifting (11.1) and drought as a result of climate change (11.2).

Results of the threats assessment including the impact, scope, severity and timing of threats are in Table 4 and threats specific to each subpopulation are in Table 5. The overall calculated and assigned threat impact to Aweme Borer is Low. Threats are discussed below in order of highest to lowest impact.

Table 4. Results for the Aweme Borer threats assessment in Canada. The classification is based on the IUCN-CMP (World Conservation Union–Conservation Measures Partnership) unified threats classification system. For a detailed description of the threat classification system, see the CMP web site (CMP 2019). Threats may be observed, inferred, or projected to occur in the near term. Threats are characterized here in terms of scope, severity, and timing. Threat “impact” is calculated from scope and severity. For information on how the values are assigned, see Master et al. (2009) and footnotes to this table.

Species Name: Aweme Borer, Papaipema aweme

Date: 2020-01-25

Assessor(s): Medea Curteanu (Canadian Wildlife Service), Jeremy deWaard (Arthropods SSC member), Chris Friesen (Manitoba Conservation Data Centre), Jennifer Heron (Arthropods SSC Co-chair and moderator), Kyle Johnson (University of Wisconsin), Colin Jones (Ontario representative), Judith Jones, Dave McCorquodale (Arthropods SSC Co-chair), Rosana Nobre Soares (COSEWIC Secretariat), Jeff Ogden (Arthropods SSC member), Chris Schmidt (Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes) and Ken Tuininga (Canadian Wildlife Service).

7. Natural system modifications (Low impact)

7.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications (Low Impact)

Invasive non-native and native plant species are scored under this category rather than in 8.1 and 8.2 because their impacts are to the habitat and not directly to Aweme Borer.

Non-native European Reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis) and native American Reed (P. australis ssp. americanus) (Saltonstall 2002) have been spreading at Turtle Lake (#11) since 2005, when first observed within this habitat (Jones pers. ob. 1997-2019). These fast-spreading grasses (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 2011) have increased in area and abundance in these wetlands, outcompeted native plants, led to a change in plant species composition, and reduced the amount of Woolly-fruited Sedge, Bog Buckbean and other fen species at this site (Jones pers. obs. 2016).

Although a native plant, American Reed appears invasive on Manitoulin Island because it is spreading rapidly within these habitats (Jones pers. obs. 2011-2019). A recent genetic study has confirmed that these invasive plants are the native American Reed subspecies (Warren pers. comm. 2019). There is no information on whether American Reed is present or adversely impacting the habitat of other Aweme Borer subpopulations.

11. Climate change and severe weather (unknown impact)

11.1 Habitat shifting and alteration (unknown impact)

The effects of climate change on Aweme Borer or its host plant are unknown, but hotter summers, more rain, and less snow are predicted for Canada (Bush et al. 2019), which may change peatland hydrology and lead to increased flooding or drying of these ecosystems (Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2010).

Aweme Borer ranges predominantly within the boreal region of Canada and has a late summer/early fall flight period. Increased temperature within the boreal region may shift the range of the species further north or change the phenology of the adult moth, perhaps enabling a longer or later flight period. Temperature changes may also change larval phenology and shift the time periods for aestivation or larval development stages.

11.2 Droughts (unknown impact)

Drought could impact Aweme Borer fen habitat. A lower water table within a peatland or fen could reduce or cause local host plant senescence and eventual mortality, or over the longer term alter the overall fen ecosystem. This threat is unlikely to simultaneously impact all subpopulations over the assessment time frame and some peatlands are continuously wet and unlikely to be impacted.

Limiting factors

Limiting factors include innate characteristics that make a species less likely to respond to recovery and conservation efforts and may compound when combined with human-caused threats. The main limiting factors for Aweme Borer are speculative, but are likely a combination of: natural enemies such as predators, parasites, and parasitoids that likely attack moths at all life stages and limit subpopulation abundance; host plant specificity, although the host plant is not limited in its abundance or distribution throughout its Canadian range; and the moths’ short adult lifespan which may limit their ability to find mates and lay eggs if weather is unsuitable (e.g., early/late season frost, extensive rainfall or wind). Localized microclimate may impact local habitat. For example, fen water depth may limit host plant abundance and distribution and/or if water levels remain high this may prevent caterpillars from dispersing to other nearby host plants should they consume all of a host plant.

Number of locations

The location^{Footnote 21} concept does not apply to Aweme Borer; there are few or low impact threats to extant subpopulations. At this time, the most plausible threat across all subpopulations are impacts from climate change in the form of droughts (11.2) and habitat shifting and alteration (11.1), both of which could impact the host plant abundance and distribution and overall hydrology of the moth’s fen and peatland habitat. However, the threat impact of climate change is unknown. Impacts on the host plant are likely variable throughout both the moth’s and plant’s range, and overall are not applicable within the ten-year assessment horizon. If the location concept was to apply, and each extant subpopulation (Table 1) is impacted differently from climate change, then there would be more than 10 locations for Aweme Borer in Canada. The estimate is a minimum, because there are likely additional undocumented subpopulations within the northern Boreal areas of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

Protection, status and ranks

Legal protection and status

Aweme Borer is listed as Endangered on Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Aweme Borer is known from the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

• In Ontario, Aweme Borer is listed under the Ontario Endangered Species Act 2007 (ESA). The habitats of all species listed on the ESA as Endangered or Threatened are automatically protected from damage or destruction, regardless of whether the habitat has been described. Aweme Borer habitat has not been described, nor regulated, although the species and its habitat has had general protection since 2013. This may result in some consideration for the habitat during development applications
• In Manitoba, species at risk are listed and protected under the Manitoba Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act; this act prohibits destroying, disturbing or interfering with the species or its habitat. Aweme Borer is not listed under this provincial act
• In Saskatchewan, provisions under the Wildlife Act 1998 protect species at risk and their habitats from risks to their survival associated with human activity. The focus is directed at the needs of provincially threatened and endangered species and is integrated with the federal Species at Risk Act. Aweme Borer is not listed under this provincial act

Bog Buckbean, the host plant, is not a species at risk in any jurisdiction in Canada or at the federal level and has no legal protection in Canada.

Recovery strategies have been prepared for Aweme Borer in Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2017) and Ontario (Jones 2015). At the time these documents were written, the host plant was unknown. To date, neither federal nor provincial critical habitat has been identified, and habitat has not been regulated in Ontario.

Non-legal status and ranks

The conservation status ranks for Aweme Borer (Natureserve 2020):

• Global Status: G3G4 (Vulnerable to Apparently Secure)
• Canada National status: N3N4 (Vulnerable to Apparently Secure)
• Manitoba status: SU (Unknown, due to lack of information)
• Saskatchewan status: SNR (Status Not Ranked)
• Ontario status: SU (Unknown)
• United States National Status: SH (Historical)
• United States subnational ranks: New York (SH), Minnesota (SNR), Michigan (S1)

In the United States, Aweme Borer is not protected under federal or state laws.

Bog Buckbean, the host plant, is considered globally Secure (G5), Apparently Secure (S4) in Saskatchewan and New York, and Secure (S5) in Manitoba and Ontario. It has not been ranked (SNR) in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (NatureServe 2020).

Habitat protection and ownership

Habitat protection and ownership for areas with each subpopulation is listed in Table 1.

Acknowledgements

Kyle E. Johnson generously shared his data, expertise and photos on Aweme Borer. Medea Curteanu provided information on survey work in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. J.L. Riley provided information on fens in northern Canada.

Members of the Arthropods Specialist Subcommittee [SSC], COSEWIC and other specialists provided review and editorial comments: Cory Sheffield, Rob Longair, Colin Jones, Jessica Linton, John Richardson, Sarah Semmler, Syd Cannings, Brian Starzomski, Jeff Ogden, Leah Ramsay, Michel Saint-Germain, John Klymko, Jeremy deWaard, David McCorquodale and Jennifer Heron. Gina Schalk, Medea Curteanu, Don Sutherland and Chris Schmidt provided additional comments. Rosana Nobre Soares (COSEWIC Secretariat) provided scientific and administrative support. Sydney Allen (COSEWIC Secretariat) completed the maps in this report. Jennifer Heron (Arthropods SSC Co-chair) edited the report.

Cover photograph by K.E. Johnson, adult resting on host plant leaf, St. Labre Creek Peatlands, Manitoba, August 24, 2019 (specimen not collected). Photos in this report are taken by K.J. Johnson.

Gary Anweiler wrote the first Aweme Borer COSEWIC status report.

Authorities contacted

Anweiler, Gary. Research Associate. Strickland Museum of Entomology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

Bird, Charles. Son of Ralph Bird who was a friend of Norman Criddle, Aweme, Manitoba

Curteanu, Medea. Wildlife Biologist, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service Prairies Region, Edmonton, Alberta

Friesen, Chris. Coordinator, Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Johnson, Kyle E. Honorary Fellow, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Jones, Colin. Provincial Arthropod Zoologist, Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Peterborough, Ontario

Miller, Tyler. Resource Management Officer, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Parks Canada Agency, Tobermory, Ontario

Quinter, Eric. American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York.

Roughly, Robert (deceased 2009; contacted during preparation of the first status report). University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Schalk, Gina. Species at Risk Biologist. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Species at Risk Implementation, Gatineau, Ontario

Schmidt, B. Christian Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Ottawa, Ontario.

Shpeley, Danny. Managing Curator, Strickland Museum of Entomology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

Sperling, Felix. Professor, Curator, Strickland Museum of Entomology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

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Collections examined

United States National Museum, Washington, D.C.

Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Ottawa, Ontario

Natural History Museum, London, UK