BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Callophrys eryphon sheltonensis
Western Pine Elfin, sheltonensis subspecies
| Scientific Name: | Callophrys eryphon sheltonensis |
|---|---|
| English Name: | Western Pine Elfin, sheltonensis subspecies |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S2 |
| Date Status Assigned: | February 01, 2023 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | February 01, 2023 |
| Reasons: | This species is threatened by ecosystem loss, and fragmentation. There are fewer records and locations. Species uses pines as larval host plants; limited range on southern Vancouver Island (mostly eastern side and a few Gulf Islands); much land conversion and development, but natural forest succession is rapid in some drier parts; There are a few sites in the drier parts of the coastal areas of lower mainland (e.g., Sunshine Coast, Squamish corridor). |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | F = 20,000-200,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | This species is restricted to southern Vancouver Island and the gulf islands, with scattered records in Sunshine Coast and lower mainland areas. Approximate range extent is just over 20,000km2. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Linear Distance of Occupancy: | U = Unknown |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | B = 6 - 20 |
| Comments: |
Known from southeast Vancouver Island from Campbell River area south to Victoria, as well as a few locations in the lower mainland, including Squamish and the Sunshine Coast. |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | There isn't much information on this species. |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | The species should be identified and monitored in parks and protected areas. |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | B = High |
| Comments: | The southern portion of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and the lower mainland regions of BC are becoming increasingly fragmented due to habitat conversion. Most, if not all ecosystems within this region are fragmented, and have changed due to invasive species. Much of this area is within private land ownership. Threats to this species include the potential for Btk spray (to control Gypsy Moth infestation (Lymantria dispar)); invasive species encroachment, inadvertent trampling by recreational users; grazing of foodplants by ungulates. Overall threats include habitat destruction; habitat fragmentation; changes in native vegetation composition from altered fire regimes; recreation; demographic collapse; mowing; changes to hydrology; climate change; maintenance activities; herbivory; pesticides; landscaping with non-native plants; and marine pollution. |
| 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: | B=Moderately vulnerable |
| Environmental Specificity: | B=Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common. |
| Comments: | Butterflies are known to require specific larval and adult food plants for their continued survival in a location. Larvae are known to use pine species including Pinus contorta on the coast (Guppy and Shepard 2001; Layberry et al. 1998). |
| Other Rank Considerations: | The species occurs within the fragmented forested ecosystems of southern Vancouver Island and lower mainland, and further decline of this habitat type threatens this subspecies. Invasive plants also threaten its habitat. |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | Research to quantify specific habitat requirements (food plant density, size of habitat and foodplant patch), dispersal and recolonization capabilities, reproductive success and population viability; population sizes at each known location. Additional research to assess the 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 habitats from invasive weeds, adjacent property management and wild fire. Research is also required to assess potential threats from pesticide use and grazing on all life stages. |
| Inventory Needs: | Inventory and long-term monitoring of butterfly populations in the Garry oak ecosystems and lower mainland regions is needed. |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | This species and corresponding site specific information be recorded within protected areas. Monitoring of populations should also occur at known protected areas. |
| Management: | This species has potential as Identified Wildlife under the Forest and Range Practices Act. It's food plants and habitat requirements need to be considered in management and planning decisions for forest operations. Best management practices guidelines for respective land owners need to be developed. |
| Version | |
| Author: | J.Heron |
| Date: | November 08, 2012 |
| 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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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: Callophrys eryphon sheltonensis. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 4, 2026).