ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PROFILE

PROTECTION STATUS: Not listed

PETITIONED: 1991 (San Diego Biodiversity Project); 2004 (Center for Biological Diversity)

RANGE: San Diego County and northern Baja California, Mexico

THREATS: Habitat destruction through urbanization, overly frequent wildfire and prescribed fire, and global climate change

POPULATION TREND: Only 15 populations of the Hermes copper are known to remain in existence in the United States following the large San Diego County fires of 2003. Three other populations in Baja California are presumed extant, but their actual status is unknown.

 

Photo © Douglas Aguillard