Aweme Borer Moth government response statement

Protecting and recovering species at risk in Ontario

Species at risk recovery is a key part of protecting Ontario’s biodiversity. Biodiversity – the variety of living organisms on Earth – provides us with clean air and water, food, fibre, medicine and other resources that we need to survive.

The Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) is the Government of Ontario’s legislative commitment to protecting and recovering species at risk and their habitats. As soon as a species is listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened under the ESA, it is automatically protected from harm or harassment. Also, immediately upon listing, the habitats of endangered and threatened species are protected from damage or destruction.

Under the ESA, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (the Ministry) must ensure that a recovery strategy is prepared for each species that is listed as endangered or threatened. A recovery strategy provides science-based advice to government on what is required to achieve recovery of a species.

Government response statements

Within nine months after a recovery strategy is prepared, the ESA requires the Ministry to publish a statement summarizing the government’s intended actions and priorities in response to the recovery strategy. The recovery strategy for the Aweme Borer Moth (Papaipema aweme) in Ontario was completed on June 25, 2015.

The response statement is the government’s policy response to the scientific advice provided in the recovery strategy. All recommendations provided in the recovery strategy were considered and this response statement identifies those that are considered to be appropriate and necessary for the protection and recovery of the species. In addition to the strategy, the response statement is based on input from stakeholders, other jurisdictions, Aboriginal communities and members of the public. It reflects the best available traditional, local and scientific knowledge at this time and may be adapted if new information becomes available. In implementing the actions in the response statement, the ESA allows the Ministry to determine what is feasible, taking into account social and economic factors.

Moving forward to protect and recover the Aweme Borer Moth

The Aweme Borer Moth is listed as an endangered species under the ESA, which protects both the moth and its habitat. The ESA prohibits harm or harassment of the species and damage or destruction of its habitat without authorization. Such authorization would require that conditions established by the Ministry be met.

The complete global range, population, and biology of the Aweme Borer Moth are unknown. Despite decades of survey effort, the species has only been observed nine times at seven locations in North America since first being described in 1905. The seven locations where the species has been observed are: Aweme, Manitoba; Grand Bend and Manitoulin Island, Ontario; Beaver Island and McMillan, Michigan; Rochester, New York; and Pinecreek, Minnesota. At each location, only a single, adult Aweme Borer Moth individual was observed with the exception of Aweme, Manitoba where three adults were observed during a three day survey period in 1905 and northern Minnesota, where 11 specimens were collected in 2015.

The Aweme Borer Moth has been observed four times in the last ten years: in 2005 on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, in 2009 near McMillan, Michigan, in 2014 near Pinecreek, Minnesota on the Minnesota-Manitoba border, and in 2015 in northern Minnesota. Aweme Borer Moths have not been observed at four of the seven historical locations, including Grand Bend, Ontario, in over 70 years, despite targeted surveys. As a result, Grand Bend is not considered to have a currently existing population. There are a number of potential explanations for why documented occurrences of the species are rare. It is possible that Aweme Borer Moths have always been rare, that the species is not very attracted to light and so is rarely trapped during surveys, or that it occurs in areas that are not often studied.

The egg, larval, and pupal stages of the Aweme Borer Moth have never been observed. However, some information can be extrapolated from other species in the same genus (Papaipema). Larvae in the genus Papaipema are called borers because they chew into fleshy plants and feed inside the roots, stems, or rhizomes of the plant. Papaipema adults lay eggs on host plants; larvae then use the host plant for food and shelter prior to pupating. Many Papaipema moths are restricted to a single host plant species. As a result, the presence of proper host plants is likely the primary habitat requirement for the Aweme Borer Moth.

The host plant for this species is currently unknown which makes identification of potential habitat areas extremely challenging. The genus Papaipema is known to use a wide variety of plants as hosts (e.g., ferns, asters, and pitcher plants); therefore the host plant could be any of a large number of plants. The Aweme Borer Moth likely shows specificity for a particular plant given the section of the genus that it belongs to. It is also possible that Aweme Borer Moth is a species associated with wetlands. Recently, two observations of the species were in peatland and bog habitats and a third was in a wet part of an old pasture. Exact locations of historical collections are not well known but may include fens and interdunal wetlands.

Because very little is known about the Aweme Borer Moth, it is difficult to identify threats to the species in Ontario. General threats to the host plant and habitat of the species may include browsing and grazing, impacts from all-terrain vehicle usage, changes in water levels, and impacts from potential development. The knowledge gaps associated with Aweme Borer Moth are substantial. As a result, the recovery actions for the species will focus on gathering information, particularly information related to habitat requirements, population size, and the biology of the species. The identity of the host plant is a key knowledge gap to be filled. Until a larva is found, and the host plant determined, it will likely continue to be difficult to find, study, protect and recover this species. As knowledge gaps are filled, this information may be used to review and adapt protection and recovery activities.

Protecting and recovering species at risk is a shared responsibility. No single agency or organization has the knowledge, authority or financial resources to protect and recover all of Ontario’s species at risk. Successful recovery requires inter-governmental co-operation and the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities.

In developing the government response statement, the Ministry considered what actions are feasible for the government to lead directly and what actions are feasible for the government to support its conservation partners to undertake.

Government-supported actions

The government endorses the following actions as being necessary for the protection and recovery of the Aweme Borer Moth. Actions identified as "high" will be given priority consideration for funding under the ESA. Where reasonable, the government will also consider the priority assigned to these actions when reviewing and issuing authorizations under the Endangered Species Act. Other organizations are encouraged to consider these priorities when developing projects or mitigation plans related to species at risk. The government will focus its support on these high-priority actions over the next five years.

Focus area: Research and monitoring

Very little is known about the Aweme Borer Moth across its entire North American range. This lack of species knowledge makes it extremely difficult to locate individuals, to determine potential habitat, and to manage potential threats facing the species. An improved understanding of the species, its host plant and its biological life processes is essential to inform future survey efforts and potential management actions. However, because it is necessary to use lethal survey methods to initially identify an adult individual and confirm the existence of the species at a location, these surveys should only be carried out in locations where the species has not already been identified within the last 10 years. Researchers in Manitoba, Michigan and Minnesota have been looking for answers to these important questions as well. A collaborative approach will ensure that we are working together with the best available information to protect and recover the Aweme Borer Moth across its range.

Actions:

1. (High) Investigate the identity of the Aweme Borer Moth larval and adult host plant(s) by coordinating survey and research efforts and sharing information with researchers and partners in Ontario, Manitoba, Michigan, and Minnesota.
2. Determine if Ontario populations continue to exist and assess population levels of Aweme Borer Moth by:
   • confirming the presence/absence of the species at locations with known occurrences through the collection and positive identification of an adult individual (if the species has not already been positively identified at that location within the last 10 years);
   • conducting surveys for Aweme Borer Moth larvae at existing locations;
   • determining the abundance of the species at existing locations using non-lethal trapping methods (once a positively identified adult individual has been found at that location within the last 10 years);
   • documenting the vegetation, ecosystem type, and water levels present at survey sites to inform surveys for additional populations in areas with suitable habitat; and
   • determining the presence/absence of the species in areas with suitable habitat that do not have currently known occurrences of the species.

Focus area: Habitat management and awareness

The habitat needs and host plant identity of Aweme Borer Moth are currently unknown. However, it is in the best interest of the species to maintain habitat at sites where the species has recently been found until further information is gathered. If there comes a time when the habitat needs for the species are better understood, collective efforts to protect, maintain, and enhance identified habitat will be of increased relevance and importance.

Actions:

3. Maintain the presence of habitat at existing sites where Aweme Borer Moth has been found by limiting access to existing sites for activities that may pose a significant threat to the species and managing the habitat, as appropriate (e.g., removal of invasive species).

Implementing actions

Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario, or the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program. Conservation partners are encouraged to discuss project proposals related to the actions in this response statement with the Ministry. The Ministry can also advise if any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required to undertake the project.

Implementation of the actions may be subject to changing priorities across the multitude of species at risk, available resources and the capacity of partners to undertake recovery activities. Where appropriate, the implementation of actions for multiple species will be co-ordinated across government response statements.

Reviewing progress

The ESA requires the Ministry to conduct a review of progress towards protecting and recovering a species not later than five years from the publication of this response statement. The review will help identify if adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the Aweme Borer Moth.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank all those who participated in the development of the Recovery Strategy for the Aweme Borer Moth (Papaipema aweme) in Ontario for their dedication to protecting and recovering species at risk.

For additional information:

The government response statement for Aweme Borer Moth is available in PDF format upon request. Please email PDF requests to recovery.planning@ontario.ca.