VCE scientists and others spent 2025 helping the state update the Vermont State Wildlife Action Plan, which gives the state access to wildlife conservation funds from the U.S. FIsh & Wildlife Service. Did you know that your observation records inform this plan? Community science observations are especially important to update the species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) list, which helps managers make decisions about where to direct conservation efforts.
Which of the following butterflies is on Vermont’s previous SGCN list?
The butterfly on the left, the Two-spotted Skipper, is considered an SGCN species in Vermont. The species on the right, the Least Skipper is not.
Both of these species look similar with unpatterned, orange wings and white bodies. A close look at their bodies reveals a mostly white underside on the Two-spotted Skipper but the body of the Least Skipper brightens to orange towards the end. Just above the body the Two-spotted Skipper also has a white stripe at the very edge of their wing. The upper edge of the wing of the Least Skipper has a black stripe, which is absent for the Two-spotted Skipper.
What about their SGCN statuses?
The Two-spotted Skipper is considered S1S2 in Vermont and G4 globally. The Least Skipper is S5 in Vermont and G5 globally.
What do these letter-number combinations mean?
S rankings are for subnational regions, such as the states in the United States. G rankings are for global values. The number system runs from 5 (most secure) to 1 (critically imperiled).
Sometimes you may see rankings with letters like ‘SH’ or ‘GX’. X refers to a species that is presumed extinct (globally) or extirpated (regionally absent where it was before). H refers to a species that is possibly extinct or extirpated but that there is still some hope they may be rediscovered. Many rediscoveries in recent years have come from community scientists!
You can read more about rankings on NatureServe.
You can explore Vermont’s SGCN species here.
Photos by
Two-spotted Skipper by Brendan Boyd (iNaturalist)
Shared under CC BY 4.0 (image modified to fit quiz format)
Least Skipper by Chrissy McClarren and Andy Reago
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