Chequered Blue
VU

Chequered Blue

Scolitantides orion

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

Scolitantides orion, the chequered blue, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Europe, Russia and east across the Palearctic to Japan.

The Chequered Blue faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in traditional land management practices across its European range. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants and affecting the delicate ecological relationships this specialized butterfly depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits dry, calcareous grasslands, rocky slopes, and scrubland areas typically between 500-2000m elevation, particularly where its host plants in the genus Sedum are abundant. The species requires warm, south-facing slopes with sparse vegetation and exposed rock surfaces in mountainous regions of Europe.

Other threatened species in Lycaenidae

Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
Geranium ArgusVU

Geranium Argus

Eumedonia eumedon

Unknown
Spanish ArgusVU

Spanish Argus

Aricia morronensis

Unknown
Iolas BlueVU

Iolas Blue

Iolana iolas

Unknown

Threatened in Albania

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
VU

Anthribus fasciatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Chequered Blue classified as Vulnerable?
Chequered Blue is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Chequered Blue faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in traditional land management practices across its European range. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants and affecting the delicate ecological relationships this specialized butterfly depends upon.
Where does Chequered Blue live?
Chequered Blue occurs in Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, and Bulgaria (plus 32 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 Chequered Blue?
The main threats to Chequered Blue 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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