BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Coenonympha california benjamini
Common Ringlet, benjamini subspecies
| Scientific Name: | Coenonympha california benjamini |
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| Scientific Name Synonyms: |
Coenonympha california benjamini
Coenonympha tullia benjamini |
| English Name: | Common Ringlet, benjamini subspecies |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S3 |
| Date Status Assigned: | December 06, 1999 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | March 31, 2021 |
| Reasons: | This species is found at low elevations in grass habitat in the Peace River corridor; threats are high to moderate; it is also found in the extreme south east of the province. The populations are likely two separate subspecies; however taxonomy needs to be established (C. Guppy, pers. comm. 2012). |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | E = 5,000-20,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | This butterfly ranges into BC within the Peace Region (mid northeastern BC) near Ft. St. John/Clayhurst and Dawson Creek. There are a few records of the species in the extreme southeastern corner of BC near Radium Hotsprings. There are more records of the species east of the Rocky Mountains in the grassy flatlands of Alberta. The range extent for the Peace Region, based on element occurrences, is 11,436 square kilometres. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | E = 26-125 |
| Area of Occupancy Estimate (km2): | 212 |
| Area of Occupancy Comments: | The area of occupancy was calculated from the updated element occurrence mapping (BC CDC 2020), resulting in 53 x 4 km2 grid squares, 212 km2. |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | C = 21 - 80 |
| Comments: | Records are from the Alaska Hwy.mi.28/29, Alexander Cr., Attachie, Bear Flat [Ft.St.John, SW], Beatton River [8km NE Rose Prairie], Brassey Creek, Chetwynd (East Pine, Mount Wabi, Worth), Clayhurst Bridge, Dawson Creek (Borden Creek, McQueen's Slough), Kiskatinaw River, Pouce Coupe, Briar Ridge Rolla, Saskatoon Creek, Rolla, Saskatoon Hill, Shearer Dale, Kiskatinaw River and Taylor (Guppy et al. 2003). In 2008, 117 records were recorded from the Peace River area in 2008, representing approx. 12-15 Element occurrences (Keystone Wildlife Research 2012). |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | The viability of the population at sites surveyed is unknown. |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | B = 1 - 3 |
| Comments: | One protected location at Kiskatinaw Provincial Park. |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Population sizes are unknown. During the 2003 survey, the number of adults observed ranged from one individual to 34-36 individuals at a few sites to 58 individuals at another site (Guppy et al. 2003). |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | BC = High - medium |
| Comments: |
It is able to exist on a variety of grasses (including non-native) and habitats as well as disturbed areas (road right of ways, young aspen, gravel pits). Threats to butterflies in the Peace corridor include agriculture (ie. hayfields and canola), recreational activites such as ATVs, trail bikes and snowmobiles; fire and fire suppression that causes ingrowth of shrubs and forest; wind turbines on hilltops; potential dam activity including complete loss of habitat, change in humidity, flooding and landslides, transmission lines and roads; pollutants such as herbicides and pesticides; grazing and livestock trampling on the hilltops; and detrimental affects from climate change (C. Guppy, pers. com. 2013) |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Long-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | U=Unknown |
| Environmental Specificity: | C=Moderate. Generalist or community with some key requirements scarce. |
| Comments: | C.t. benjamini has been documented to feed upon various grasses including needlegrass (Stipa spp.) and blue grass (Poa pratensis) (Layberry et al. 1998; Guppy and Shepard 2001). Specific food requirements are unclear. |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | Life history information; population estimates and metapopulation structure; dispersal distances and capabilities; foodplant specificity; threats to the species and its habitat. |
| Inventory Needs: | Inventory in parks and protected areas is needed. |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | Threats to specific habitats need to be identified prior to protection needs. |
| Management: | Best management practices guidelines need to be developed for those working at roadside edges and transportation corridors where this species could potentially be threatened by maintenance activities. |
| Version | |
| Author: | Marks, D. |
| Date: | March 15, 2021 |
| References | |
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Guppy, C.S., and J.H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press in collaboration with Royal B.C. Mus. 414pp.
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Guppy, C.S., S.J. Kinsey, and L.L. Law. 2003. Reconnaissance inventory of the butterflies of the South Peace. Submitted to Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., Dawson Creek, BC. 104pp.
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Layberry, R. A., P. W. Hall, and J. D. LaFontaine. 1998. The butterflies of Canada. University of Toronto Press. 280pp. + color plates.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2021. Conservation Status Report: Coenonympha california benjamini. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 6, 2026).