Assessor/s:
Paulo A.V. Borges
Virgilio Vieira
Reviewer/s:
Danielczak, A.
Contributor/s:
Nunes, R. & Lamelas-Lopez, L.
Facilitators / Compilers/s:
Scoparia aequipennalis is an endemic species present in the islands of the Corvo, Flores, Faial, Pico, Graciosa, S. Jorge, Terceira, S. Miguel and Santa Maria (Azores, Portugal) (Nuss et al. 1997, Borges et al. 2010). It has a relatively large area of occupancy (AOO = 380 km²) and extent of occurrence (EOO = ca 42,000 km²). It is usually associated with native forest, occurring in 15 Natural Forest Reserves of Azores. It is closely associated with Azorean endemic trees and have possibly two generations per year. Based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will decline as a consequence of climate change. The species is assessed as Least Concern (LC) due to the widespread distribution and high abundance in the canopies of endemic trees, having also a high range of altitude occupancy (10-2200 m).
Scoparia aequipennalis is an endemic species present in the islands of the Corvo, Flores, Faial, Pico, Graciosa, S. Jorge, Terceira, S. Miguel and Santa Maria (Azores, Portugal) (Nuss et al. 1997, Borges et al. 2010). Within these nine islands it is known from 15 Natural Forest Reserves of Morro Alto e Pico da Sé (Flores); Caldeira do Faial and Cabeço do Fogo (Faial); Mistério da Prainha, Caveiro and Caiado (Pico); Pico Pinheiro and Topo (S. Jorge); Biscoito da Ferraria, Pico Galhardo, Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, Caldeira Sta. Bárbara e Mistérios Negros and Terra Brava (Terceira); Atalhada and Pico da Vara (S. Miguel). The extent of occurrence (EOO) is ca 41,600 km² and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 380 km².
S. aequipennalis is a widespread and particularly abundant species in native forests. The species presents a stable population and occurs in all the islands. We assume a stable population.
The species occurs in native forests of mid-high altitude in all the islands (Azores). Adults and larvae are herbivores; it flies from February to October (Nuss et al. 1997), with two or more broods around the year. Altitudinal range: 10-2200 m.
In the past, the species has probably strongly declined due to changes in habitat size and quality, mostly the creation of pastures (Triantis et al. 2010). Currently invasive plants Pittosporum undulatum and Hedychium gardnerianum are changing some of the areas and decreasing the quality of the habitat. These changes are decreasing the relative cover of endemic plants and changing the soil cover (decreasing the cover of bryophytes and ferns). Based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will further decline as a consequence of climate change (increasing number of droughts and habitat shifting & alteration).
The species is not protected by regional law. Its habitat is in regionally protected areas (Natural Parks of Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, S. Jorge, Terceira, São Miguel and Sta. Maria). Degraded habitats should be restored and a strategy needs to be developed to address the future threat by climate change. It is necessary to create a monitoring plan for the invertebrate community in the habitat in order to contribute to the conservation of this species. A habitat management plan is needed and anticipated to be developed during the coming years. Monitoring every ten years using the BALA protocol will inform about habitat quality (see e.g. Gaspar et al. 2010).