Should West Virginia Whites be state protected?

[Wagner, David]

Me again.  

Over the last couple years Perry Stafford and I have been tracking populations of the West Virginia White.  Not sure there all that many, and if we imagine that there might be less than 20 state-wide the insect may be worthy of protection.  We know of three that are viable:  Steep Rock, River Road in Kent, and Reed's Gap in North Branford. 

We would appreciate hearing from you, if you know of others.

Of equal importance is that two populations that were reliable a decade ago appear to be gone, thus the species could be declining.

Happy Mother's Day weekend to all.

David L. Wagner
Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology  
Storrs, CT 06269-3043
v. (860) 486-2139; f. (860) 486-6364

-----Original Message-----
From: Peary Stafford [mailto:pstaff at pipeline.com] 
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 4:12 PM
To: Wagner, David
Subject: West Virginia Whites

Dave:
	I've been asking around and am aware of only three colonies of West 
Virginia White  in CT this year: Steep Rock where we've had them on 
two occasions, River Road in Kent where my wife and I had 3-5 
individuals in the forest past the stream and Reed's Gap in North 
Branford where Larry Gall had one on April 29.  Are you aware of any 
other populations?
	Thanks and regards,
	Peary