Bembidion monticola
CR

Bembidion monticola

Local name: Bjergglansløber

Unknown

Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Miroslav Deml, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Overview

Bjergglansløber (Bembidion monticola) is a small, metallic ground beetle endemic to high-altitude mountain environments in Scandinavia. This diminutive predator displays a characteristic bronze-green sheen and measures only 3-4mm in length, making it one of the smaller members of its genus. As a specialized alpine predator, it plays a crucial role in controlling populations of small arthropods and decomposing organic matter in fragile mountain ecosystems.

Bembidion monticola, a ground beetle endemic to high-altitude environments in Scandinavia, faces severe threats from climate change as warming temperatures force suitable habitat upslope to increasingly restricted areas. The species' specialized alpine habitat requirements make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes, with habitat loss and fragmentation representing the primary drivers of population decline.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits the narrow zone of alpine and subalpine environments, specifically favoring moist areas near snowmelt streams, moss-covered rock crevices, and the edges of small mountain tarns above 1,200 meters elevation. It requires cool, consistently humid microhabitats with loose stone substrates and organic debris accumulation typical of high-altitude Scandinavian mountain plateaus.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Unknown
Golden Ground BeetleVU

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Schorsknotje

Tachyta nana

Unknown
Pale Pin-palpVU

Pale Pin-palp

Bembidion testaceum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Bjergglansløber classified as Critically Endangered?
Bjergglansløber is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Bembidion monticola, a ground beetle endemic to high-altitude environments in Scandinavia, faces severe threats from climate change as warming temperatures force suitable habitat upslope to increasingly restricted areas. The species' specialized alpine habitat requirements make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes, with habitat loss and fragmentation representing the primary drivers of population decline.
Where does Bjergglansløber live?
Bjergglansløber occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Bjergglansløber?
The main threats to Bjergglansløber are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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