Agrotis photophila (Light-loving Cutworm)

[Deleted]

Light-loving Cutworm
(Agrotis photophila)

family: Noctuidae

known from O'ahu / Hawai'i Islands, considered extinct

[Sebbe]

Agrotis photophila is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it was historically recorded from lowland, coastal areas of O’ahu. This species has not been recorded in over a hundred years and was listed as possibly extinct by the USFWS in 1994. Past and current threats are unknown but likely include habitat loss and possibly parasitism by non-native biocontrol agents released to control agricultural pests. As it is a relatively large moth, it is unlikely it would evade collection, regardless of collection effort, unless it is extinct. Therefore, it is likely past declines have decimated this species and if it is still extant it remains in very low numbers. As such, a population size of less than 50 mature individuals can be inferred and this species qualifies as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) under criterion D. Presuming extinction may be premature, as it is unclear whether sufficient efforts to find this species in appropriate habitats have been taken.

www.iucnredlist.org/species/708/189703011#assessment-information

[koeiyabe]

explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.108606/Agrotis_photophila

[Sebbe]

Patterns of extinction across Hawaiian Lepidoptera offer lessons from a diverse, neglected, and vulnerable endemic fauna.

Endemic to Oahu, Hawaii. Last recorded 1907.

www.researchgate.net/publication/384487192_Patterns_of_extinction_across_Hawaiian_Lepidoptera_offer_lessons_from_a_diverse_neglected_and_vulnerable_endemic_fauna