U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Completes Status Review of the Bay Skipper Butterfly

The bay skipper butterfly does not warrant federal protection as an endangered or threatened species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluded, following a status review initiated by a petition seeking to protect the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate critical habitat.

“We conducted a status review of the bay skipper and actually discovered new populations of the butterfly in Texas and Louisiana and an expanded range of suitable habitat,” said Cindy Dohner, the Service’s Southeast Regional Director. “This is good news for the bay skipper and confirmation of the high-quality conservation work being accomplished by our employees and partners."