Common thorn midget
EN

Common thorn midget

Phyllonorycter oxyacanthae

Unknown

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

Overview

Phyllonorycter oxyacanthae is a moth of the family Gracillariidae found in all of Europe except the Balkan Peninsula. It was described by the German-born Swiss entomologist, Heinrich Frey in 1856. The larvae are known as leaf miners, living inside the leaves of their food plants.

The Common thorn midget (Phyllonorycter oxyacanthae) is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its host plant communities. The species faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in land management practices that reduce the availability of hawthorn and related Rosaceae species.

Threat summary

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 Common thorn midget classified as Endangered?
Common thorn midget 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. The Common thorn midget (Phyllonorycter oxyacanthae) is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its host plant communities. The species faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in land management practices that reduce the availability of hawthorn and related Rosaceae species.
Where does Common thorn midget live?
Common thorn midget occurs in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, and Denmark (plus 19 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 Common thorn midget?
The main threats to Common thorn midget 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.