PIERRE, S.D. — Officials in the Dakotas say they fear that giving federal protection to two butterflies found in parts of the Upper Midwest will hamper agriculture.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday named the Dakota skipper as threatened and the Poweshiek skipperling as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

The agency says both butterflies are threatened by loss of native prairie vegetation, agriculture, development, altered fire patterns and groundwater depletion.

North Dakota U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer says he wonders if the listings will even help the butterflies, and he worries the move will hurt the farming, ranching, energy and transportation industries. North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Executive Vice President Julie Ellingson says that group worries about harm to private property rights.