Baton Blue
Pseudophilotes baton
Pseudophilotes baton, the baton blue, is a butterfly belonging to the Lycaenidae family. It is found in central and southern Europe and then east across the Palearctic to the Russian Far East.
57
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudophilotes_baton
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Lycaenidae
Genus
Pseudophilotes
Baton Blue belongs to the family Lycaenidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Pseudophilotes baton, the baton blue, is a butterfly belonging to the Lycaenidae family. It is found in central and southern Europe and then east across the Palearctic to the Russian Far East.
The Baton Blue butterfly faces significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in traditional land management practices. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants and affecting the delicate ecological relationships this specialized species depends upon.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits dry calcareous grasslands, limestone slopes, rocky hillsides, and Mediterranean scrubland where its host plants in the genus Acantholimon occur. Typically found in mountainous regions and upland areas with sparse vegetation and well-drained soils.
Threats
Habitat loss and fragmentation from agricultural intensification
Urbanization and infrastructure development
Abandonment of traditional grazing and land management
Climate change impacts on host plant availability
Overgrazing in some areas leading to habitat degradation
Found in 57 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes baton). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/baton-blue