- Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
- MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Media Contact for Updates to the Massachusetts Endangered Species List
Media Contact, MassWildlife
MassWildlife works to conserve biodiversity in the Commonwealth and updated the list of plants and animals officially protected by the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) this year following an extensive review of population data and threats. Following this update, there are now 453 native animals and plants listed under MESA. All listed species receive the same protection, but they are categorized as endangered, threatened, or of special concern—depending on their status and the threats they face. After analysis of scientific data and review of public comments on the proposed changes, 22 plants and animals were added to the MESA list, 1 plant was delisted, and the status of 2 plants was changed.
MESA is implemented by MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. By law, the list of plants and animals protected under MESA must be reviewed at least every 5 years. The status of a species may change due to factors including changes to our knowledge about:
- Reproductive and population status and trends within the state,
- Species’ habitat requirements and vulnerability to threats to its habitat,
- Geographic and genetic distribution within the state,
- Rarity of the species and its habitats, or
- Emerging diseases and infections
The latest MESA list changes, effective as of August 16, 2024, are detailed below. Click here to view the full list of species protected by MESA.
Mammals
| Common name | Scientific name | Previous MA status | New MA status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern red bat | Lasiurus borealis | Not listed | Special concern |
| Hoary bat | Lasiurus cinereus | Not listed | Special concern |
| Silver-haired bat | Lasionycteris noctivagans | Not listed | Special concern |
Butterflies and moths
| Common name | Scientific name | Previous MA status | New MA status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden borer moth | Papaipema cerina | Not listed | Endangered |
| Acadian hairstreak butterfly | Satyrium acadica | Not listed | Threatened |
Bees
| Common name | Scientific name | Previous MA status | New MA status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parnassia miner bee | Andrena parnassiae | Not listed | Threatened |
| Macropis cuckoo bee | Epeoloides pilosulus | Not listed | Threatened |
Plants
| Common name | Scientific name | Previous MA status | New MA status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bog sedge | Carex exilis | Not listed | Threatened |
| Willdenow's sedge | Carex willdenowii | Not listed | Endangered |
| Split-leaved hawthorn | Crataegus schizophylla | Not listed | Endangered |
| Appalachian bristle-fern | Crepidomanes intricatum | Endangered | Special concern |
| Pine barrens flatsedge | Cyperus retrorsus | Not listed | Special concern |
| Frog orchid | Dactylorhiza viridis | Not listed | Endangered |
| Velvet rosette-grass | Dichanthelium scoparium | Not listed | Endangered |
| Showy orchid | Galearis spectabilis | Not listed | Threatened |
| Loesel's wide-lipped orchid | Liparis loeselii | Not listed | Threatened |
| Wild lupine | Lupinus perennis | Not listed | Special concern |
| Winged loosestrife | Lythrum alatum | Not listed | Endangered |
| Eastern prickly pear | Opuntia cespitosa | Not listed | Endangered |
| Hooker's orchid | Platanthera hookeri | Not listed | Endangered |
| Large-leaved orchid | Platanthera macrophylla | Not listed | Threatened |
| Round-leaved orchid | Platanthera orbiculata | Not listed | Threatened |
| Ogden’s pondweed | Potamogeton ogdenii | Endangered | Not listed |
| Slender clubmoss | Pseudolycopodiella caroliniana | Not listed | Endangered |
| Slender bladderwort | Utricularia subulata | Special concern | Threatened |
NOTE: Fact sheets for newly-listed species will be available soon. The next Natural Heritage Atlas will incorporate these changes to the list into priority and estimated habitat of rare species, as applicable.
All of the native animals and plants on the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list play an important role in keeping the Commonwealth's natural communities thriving. You can make a difference and support endangered species conservation by making a donation. Your meaningful donation will go to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund, which is dedicated specifically to the conservation of rare species and their habitats in the Commonwealth. Learn how to support rare species conservation.
Media Contact for Updates to the Massachusetts Endangered Species List
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
