Papaipema aweme

Papaipema aweme, known generally as the Aweme borer moth or small white-aster moth, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America. The MONA or Hodges number for Papaipema aweme is 9504.

Historically, the Aweme borer was thought to inhabit sand dunes and oak savannahs in southern Manitoba and the Great Lakes region. However, this belief was based on very limited data, as until 2005, only six specimens had been documented from scattered locations across North America. The rarity of the species led many entomologists to doubt its continued existence.

A significant turning point in the study of Papaipema aweme occurred in 2009 when a specimen was unexpectedly discovered in a peatland fen in the backwoods of upper Michigan. This discovery was crucial as it not only confirmed the moth's existence but also shifted the focus of habitat research from sandy and savannah regions to peatland fens.

After the 2009 discovery, entomologist Kyle Johnson launched an intensive research campaign, shifting focus from previously assumed habitats to peatland fens. Over eight years, Johnson and his team traversed nearly a thousand miles from Michigan to Saskatchewan, spending 123 nights in the field and capturing 59 new specimens using bait stations and netting. Their work not only expanded knowledge of the Aweme borer's distribution but also highlighted the ecological importance of peatland fens as habitats for diverse and often rare species, underscoring the need for continuous exploration and monitoring in conservation science.