Wildlife Specialist report

showed an increase in numbers from pre-disturbance conditions to post-disturbance
conditions, but the increase was not significant (Hess 1969). Habitat may not be reduced,
but possibly even enhanced along road edges for insect species (Johnson et al. 1975,
Holzapfel and Schmidt 1990, Lightfoot and Whitford 1991, Angold 1997, and Ouren et
al. 2007). Hess (1969) found that stream turbidity returned to pre-crossing turbidity
within 700 feet (approx. 215 m) of the stream crossing.
As with other groups of terrestrial wildlife, motorized/recreation effects to insects can be
grouped into two analysis factors; to analyze effects to this guild of species from the
proposed action and each alternative of the Travel Management Project on the Gila
National Forest analysis will focus on two factors:
1. To analyze the potential for harvest effects of motorized activities to insects, road
miles were measured as these miles pertain to the proposed action and each
alternative.
2. To analyze disturbance/indirect effects a disturbance zone of 250 meters from
roads was used as it pertains to the proposed action and to each alternative.
A notodontid moth [(Euhyparpax rosea) (Forest Service Sensitive Species
Representative of Desert Shrub/Piñon-Juniper/Shrub Oakland/Ponderosa pine
Vegetation Cover Types)] – According to NatureServe, this species is probably an oak
feeder like the related H. aurora. For the family the larvae of most species feed on trees
and shrubs, and some attack orchard trees. Many specialize on plants containing toxic
substances. Family members are most commonly found on shrubs, trees, and leguminous
plants. Probably oak-juniper or oak-pine-juniper in our area (Forest Service 2010).
Nitocris Fritillary [(Speyeria nokomis nitocris) (Forest Service Sensitive Species
Representative of Wet Meadow/Wetland/High Elevation Riparian Vegetation Cover
Types) – The species is found in lush Canadian zone meadows, near seeps, marshes, and
along streams. The adults show a preference for feeding upon red thistles of various
species. For the species the host plant for caterpillars is Viola nephrophylla. The
species occurs at elevations of 5,400-8,500 feet in the Mogollon and White Mountains of
Arizona and the extension of the Mogollon Mountains into New Mexico. It also if found
in isolated pockets in a few other New Mexico locations (Forest Service 2010).
A may fly [(Lachlania dencyannae) (Forest Service Sensitive Species Representative
of Middle Elevation Riparian Vegetation Cover Type (Only within the Gila River
drainage)] – The East Fork of the Gila River at its junction with the Gila River, where
larvae have been taken, is a warm, turbid and rapid stream, mostly 6 inches to 2 feet deep
with a 6 to 10 foot width. The stream is unshaded for most of the day. Larvae cling to
woody debris and vegetation caught in the crevices of rocks (Forest Service 2010). High
gradient medium sized rivers are considered as habitat for the species.
Dashed Ringtail [(Erpetogomphus heterodon) (Forest Service Sensitive Species
Representative of Wet Meadow/Wetland/High Elevation Riparian Vegetation Cover
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