BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Boloria epithore sigridae
Western Meadow Fritillary, sigridae subspecies
| Scientific Name: | Boloria epithore sigridae |
|---|---|
| English Name: | Western Meadow Fritillary, sigridae subspecies |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S3 |
| Date Status Assigned: | December 24, 2020 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | March 31, 2021 |
| Reasons: | This species only occurs in the northwestern corner of the province, and this is the southernmost extent of its range. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | E = 5,000-20,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | The range extent is difficult to determine as there are only two known occurrences with a large distance between. The species range is likely larger and there is much unchecked habitat. The approximate range extent is 20,000 square kilometres. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | AB = 1 - 20 |
| Comments: | There are a few known occurrences for the species, one in northwest-central BC (Skeena region) and one in Kluane Provincial Park (Guppy and Shepard 2001). There is widespread habitat in between these occurrences. |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | This species is known to inhabit mixed-deciduous forest openings, meadows and roadsides (Layberry et al. 1998). There is much unchecked habitat in northern BC. |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | A = None |
| Comments: | This subspecies has been recorded in the Yukon's Kluane National Park and Reserve, north of the British Columbia border. |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | D = Low |
| Comments: | There are no threats to the habitat, although mining and mineral exploration is always a possible threat, as is grazing and roadside maintenance. Over 80% of this area of the province has not been impacted by roads or seismic lines (Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development 2002). |
| 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: | B=Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common. |
| Comments: | The larvae are known to feed upon violets (Layberry et al. 1998). |
| Other Rank Considerations: | Few occurrences in northern BC, may be at the southernmost extension of the subspecies range. |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | Research food plant density and patch size. Species' dispersal capabilities, reproductive success and population viability needs to be assessed; the potential impacts of predation, parasitism, climatic variation, small population size, and population isolation should also be determined. Research is required to assess the potential threats to habitat from grazing, invasive weeds, and wild fire. Research into life history, and food plant clarification should also be conducted. |
| Inventory Needs: | Inventory in forest meadows from sea level to subalpine meadows (Guppy and Shepard 2001). |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | This species should be noted in parks and protected areas. |
| Management: | Since this species is known to occur at forest edges and openings, as well as coniferous forest meadows (Layberry et al. 1998). It may be a candidate for listing under the Forest and Range Practices Act Identified Wildlife Management Strategy. |
| 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 and Royal British Columbia Museum: Victoria, British Columbia. 414 pp.
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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: Boloria epithore sigridae. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 5, 2026).