 |
 The
Oregon silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta) was
declared a federally threatened species on July 2, 1980.
Although its native range is spread from Washington state
down to northern California, its populations are small and
isolated within its grassland habitats. When a census of
wild silverspots was conducted in 2000, only 80 of the orange
and black butterflies were seen at one site. Another factor
that severely restricts its population is that its preferred
food plant is the early blue or dog violet (Viola adunca).
This beautiful little violet, once prevalent on Washington's
Long Beach peninsula and other places, is now disappearing
as its habitat is gobbled up by development.
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