Taxonomic Evaluation of Leuctra laura Hitchcock (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) Negates the Need for a Conservation Assessment
Grubbs SA, Hogan PN, Myers LW, DeWalt RE. 2025. Taxonomic Evaluation of Leuctra laura Hitchcock (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) Negates the Need for a Conservation Assessment. Journal of Natural History. 59(29-32):2007–2022
ABSTRACT: The holotype male of Leuctra laura Hitchcock, 1969 (Hampshire needlefly), the only male collected when this species was described from Tuckerman Ravine of the Presidential Range in central New Hampshire, was recently examined using standard light microscopy. All diagnostic characters identify this holotype as the widespread Appalachian species L. grandis Banks, 1906 (grand needlefly). Therefore, Leuctra laura is herein placed as a junior synonym of L. grandis. This update to the taxonomic status of L. laura is especially important since NatureServe applied a global ranking of GH (= Possibly Extinct) for this species. A brief discussion on conservation status assessments is included. Light microscopy images, scanning electron micrographs, and a dot distribution map for all material examined are provided.