Blackthorn slender
EN

Blackthorn slender

Parornix torquillella

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parornix_torquillella

Overview

Parornix torquillella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae found in Europe. The larvae mine the leaves of Prunus species, such as blackthorn. It was described by the German entomologist Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1850, from specimens found in Florence, Leghorn and Pisa.

Parornix torquillella faces significant decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized host plant environments. The species is particularly vulnerable because of its narrow ecological requirements and dependence on specific plant communities that are increasingly fragmented and destroyed.

Threat summary

Habitat

It is known from all of Europe, except Spain and parts of the Balkan Peninsula.

Other threatened species in Gracillariidae

VU

Gracillaria loriolella

Unknown
Vetch midgetVU

Vetch midget

Phyllonorycter nigrescentella

Unknown
Grijze populierenvouwmotVU

Grijze populierenvouwmot

Phyllonorycter populifoliella

Unknown
Sandhill midgetVU

Sandhill midget

Phyllonorycter quinqueguttella

Unknown

Threatened in Austria

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
agnhodeedderkoppCR

agnhodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria alticeps

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Blackthorn slender classified as Endangered?
Blackthorn slender is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Parornix torquillella faces significant decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized host plant environments. The species is particularly vulnerable because of its narrow ecological requirements and dependence on specific plant communities that are increasingly fragmented and destroyed.
Where does Blackthorn slender live?
Blackthorn slender occurs in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, and France (plus 16 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Blackthorn slender?
The main threats to Blackthorn slender 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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