Features: The Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme) is a yellowish or pinkish-brown owlet moth of medium size (about 35 mm wingspan) with dark brown markings on the forewings. Very little is known about the biology of this species. The larval host plant is not known, and the early stages of development have never been seen. It may be associated with prairie habitats, oak savanahs or sand dunes.

Status: Endangered Provincially and Nationally

Range: The Aweme Borer is known globally from only seven specimens collected at five localities: Aweme, Manitoba; Grand Bend and Manitoulin Island, Ontario; Beaver Island, Michigan; and Rochester, New York. Except for one specimen collected in 2005, all records are more than 70 years old. Range Maps

Threats: Loss of habitat may be a threat for the Aweme Borer, but so little is known about its requirements that nothing definitive can be said. The main limiting factor for this species may be the distribution and abundance of its host plant. Although burns are necessary to maintain prairie habitats, they are known to have a negative impact on the survival of other Papaipema species. Controlled burns done to maintain prairie habitat should be done on a rotating basis in areas where this species may occur to maintain a surviving population.

Protection: In Ontario, the Aweme Borer Moth receives protection from the Endangered Species Act, 2007, which prohibits activities that may harm the species. Habitat suitable for this species is found on a mix of private, provincial and First Nations land. The Pinery Provincial Park, where the species was historically found, affords protection to habitat through the management planning process. Oak savanna habitat on Manitoulin Island occurs primarily on private property, although the Nature Conservancy of Canada owns potentially suitable areas as well. The land where the recent specimen was caught is privately owned.

Text Sources: Anweiler 2006

Last Modified Date: October 2008