Buff Groundling
Prolita solutella
Prolita solutella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is widely distributed throughout Europe, east to the Ural Mountains.
20
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) cossus, sommige rechten voorbehouden (CC BY-NC)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Gelechiidae
Genus
Prolita
Buff Groundling belongs to the family Gelechiidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Prolita solutella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is widely distributed throughout Europe, east to the Ural Mountains. It is also found in Turkey. The habitat consists of dry pastures and dry heathland.
The Buff Groundling faces significant threats from habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering the microclimatic conditions of its specialized grassland and heathland habitats, while pesticide use in agricultural areas reduces prey availability and may cause direct mortality.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits dry grasslands, heathlands, and chalk downs with sparse vegetation, typically in areas with exposed soil and short turf. The species shows preference for south-facing slopes and disturbed ground in coastal and inland calcareous habitats.
Threats
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Climate change affecting microhabitat conditions
Habitat fragmentation isolating populations
Pesticide use reducing prey availability
Found in 20 Countries
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
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Buff Groundling (Prolita solutella). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/buff-groundling