Chalk-hill Bell, Chalk Hill Tortrix
Pelochrista caecimaculana
Pelochrista caecimaculana is a moth belonging to the family Tortricidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1799.
22
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelochrista_caecimaculana
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Tortricidae
Genus
Pelochrista
Chalk-hill Bell, Chalk Hill Tortrix belongs to the family Tortricidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Pelochrista caecimaculana is a moth belonging to the family Tortricidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1799.
The Chalk Hill Tortrix is primarily threatened by habitat loss and degradation of its specialized chalk downland habitat due to agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in traditional grazing management. The species' highly restricted distribution and specific ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from habitat fragmentation and climate change impacts on chalk grassland ecosystems.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Chalk Hill Tortrix is primarily threatened by habitat loss and degradation of its specialized chalk downland habitat due to agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in traditional grazing management. The species' highly restricted distribution and specific ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from habitat fragmentation and climate change impacts on chalk grassland ecosystems.
Agricultural intensification and conversion of chalk downlands
Loss of traditional grazing management leading to scrubland encroachment
Climate change altering chalk grassland plant communities
Habitat fragmentation isolating small populations
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Found in 22 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). Chalk-hill Bell, Chalk Hill Tortrix (Pelochrista caecimaculana). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/chalk-hill-bell-chalk-hill-tortrix