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Range-Wide Relative Abundance of the Appalachian Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) in the Eastern United States

Open-File Report 2026-1017
Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Michigan State University Extension; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; New York Natural Heritage Program; North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Western Pennsylvania Conservancy; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20261017

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Abstract

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated the Pyrgus centaureae wyandot (Appalachian Grizzled Skipper [AGS]) to be at-risk, based on its declining populations and the lack of information on its status. The objective of this study was to complete range-wide surveys to locate extant AGS colonies and to quantify the number of AGS observed at each location. From 2021–24, 284 surveys were done in 25 unique (that is, distinct) counties in 8 States in the Eastern United States — Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. We found AGS in only two counties: Alleghany County, Virginia, and Greenbrier County, West Virginia. AGS were observed 180 times in these two counties. Our results can inform U.S. Fish and Wildlife decisions about where and how future AGS conservation efforts can be implemented.

Suggested Citation

Vyas, N.B., Selfridge, J., Cuthrell, D., Somes, R., White, E., Ratcliffe, J., Lynch, J., Hamon, L., Wyza, E., Leppo, B., Woods, P., Tur, A., Drummey, D., Nolan, K., Orcutt, E., Rapp, A., Card, L., Goldner, J., and Olcott, S., 2026, Range-wide relative abundance of the Appalachian grizzled skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) in the Eastern United States: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2026–1017, 57 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20261017.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Objectives
  • Methods
  • Results
  • State Summaries
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Guidelines and Data Sheets
  • Appendix 2. Other Butterfly Species Observed During Surveys, by State
  • Appendix 3. Master Data Spreadsheet (Redacted)
  • Appendix 4. Maryland Data (Redacted)
  • Appendix 5. Michigan Data (Redacted)
  • Appendix 6. New York Data (Redacted)
  • Appendix 7. North Carolina Data (Redacted)
  • Appendix 8. Ohio Data (Redacted)
  • Appendix 9. Pennsylvania Data (Redacted)
  • Appendix 10. Virginia Data (Redacted)
  • Appendix 11. West Virginia Data (Redacted)
  • Appendix 12. Presentations and Reports Submitted by States (Redacted)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Range-wide relative abundance of the Appalachian grizzled skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) in the Eastern United States
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2026-1017
DOI 10.3133/ofr20261017
Publication Date May 28, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Eastern Ecological Science Center
Description Report: ix, 57 p.; Appendix
Country United States
State Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details