Clouded Magpie
Abraxas sylvata
Abraxas sylvata, the clouded magpie, is a Palearctic moth of the family Geometridae that was named by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1763.
47
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraxas_sylvata
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Geometridae
Genus
Abraxas
Clouded Magpie belongs to the family Geometridae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Abraxas sylvata, the clouded magpie, is a Palearctic moth of the family Geometridae that was named by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1763.
The Clouded Magpie faces significant pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation as deciduous and mixed woodlands are cleared for agriculture and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering the timing of host plant availability, disrupting the species' reproductive cycle and larval development. Pollution and pesticide use in agricultural areas adjacent to woodland habitats further threaten both adult moths and their caterpillars.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly those dominated by oak, birch, and other broadleaf trees that serve as host plants for larvae. Also found in woodland edges, parks, and large gardens with mature trees, typically in areas with diverse understory vegetation.
Threats
Climate change impacts on host plant phenology
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Light pollution affecting nocturnal behavior
Woodland management practices
Found in 47 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). Clouded Magpie (Abraxas sylvata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/clouded-magpie