BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Chlosyne hoffmanni
Hoffmann's Checkerspot
| Scientific Name: | Chlosyne hoffmanni |
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| Scientific Name Synonyms: |
Charidryas hoffmanni
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| English Name: | Hoffmann's Checkerspot |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S2 |
| Date Status Assigned: | January 15, 2007 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | January 28, 2020 |
| Reasons: | |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | C = 250-1,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | The species is only known from Manning Provincial Park, in a few locations in the subalpine/alpine areas. The range extent for BC is estimated at 350 square km, along the Canada-US border. The records in Canada are at the northernmost extension of the species' range (Conservation Data Centre 2006). |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Linear Distance of Occupancy: | U = Unknown |
| Area of Occupancy Comments: | No information is available on area of occupancy or linear distance of occupancy |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | A = 1 - 5 |
| Comments: | The species is only known from Manning Provincial Park, within the subalpine/alpine areas of the park (Conservation Data Centre 2006). |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | The population in Manning Provincial Park is confirmed (Conservation Data Centre 2006). |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | B = 1 - 3 |
| Comments: | Within the Cascade Mountains of Manning Provincial Park (Conservation Data Centre 2006). |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | No information is available on population size. Approximately 20 individuals were seen flying in mid July 2007 at Gibson's Pass Ski Hill (Conservation Data Centre 2006). |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | D = Low |
| Comments: | Over the past four years Manning Provincial Park and areas adjacent to the park have lost extensive pine forest to mountain pine beetle. Dead and dyeing pine trees remain standing and thus this fuel load within the park has increased the forest fire hazard. Although populations of Charidryas hoffmanni are not within pine forests, the spread of wildfire into the species' habitat is possible should such an event occur. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | G = Relatively Stable (<=10% change) |
| Comments: | Manning Provincial Park is currently implementing management for mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) (BC Parks website for Manning Provincial Park). The change in forest ecosystem structure is changing the overall landscape in the park. |
| Long-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | U=Unknown |
| Environmental Specificity: | B=Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common. |
| Comments: | This species has foodplant specificity and the larve is known to feed on Asters (Aster spp.) (Layberry et al. 1998). |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | Research is required to more accurately quantify specific habitat requirements including food plant density and patch size; species' dispersal capabilities, reproductive success and population viability; potential impacts of predation, parasitism, climatic variation, small population size, and population isolation is also needed. Research is required to assess the potential threats to habitat from mountain pine beetle management, changes in ecosystem structure, and wild fire. Research into the food plants and overall life history of the butterfly. |
| Inventory Needs: | Distribution in BC and distribution within Manning Provincial Park; population and dispersal distance capabilities; threats to the species within known locations. |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | This species is protected within Manning Provinical Park. |
| Management: | This species is protected within Manning Provinical Park although there are no species specific provisions in the management plan for the park. This species would benefit from such provisions within the park Master Plan. Since this species is known to occur at forest edges and openings (Opler et al. 1995) it may be a candidate for listing under the Forest and Range Practises Act Identified Wildlife Management Strategy. |
| Version | |
| Author: | Heron, J. |
| Date: | November 09, 2012 |
| References | |
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Conservation Data Centre. 2006. CDC butterfly records database containing records from multiple observers.
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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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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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Opler, P.A., H. Pavulaan, and R.E. Stanford. 1995. Butterflies of North America. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page: Version Dec. 12, 2003. Online. Available: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa.htm
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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. 2012. Conservation Status Report: Chlosyne hoffmanni. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Apr 18, 2026).