Dusky Sweep
EN

Dusky Sweep

Acanthopsyche atra

Unknown

Photo: iNaturalist: (c) cossus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Overview

Acanthopsyche atra, the dusky sweep, is a moth of the family Psychidae. The habitat consists of heath and moorland.

The Dusky Sweep faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from coastal development and pollution in its marine environment. Climate change and ocean acidification are increasingly impacting the coral reef ecosystems this species depends on for feeding and shelter.

Threat summary

Habitat

Usually females lay their eggs in the pupal case. P L Jørgensen observed some females leaving their cases and dropping to the ground a few days after mating. The female, when free from its pupal case, looks and behaves like a fly maggot. Eleven were fed to a European robin (Erithacus rubecula) and its droppings collected over the next 24 hours. After two weeks, between thirty and forty larvae...

Other threatened species in Psychidae

EN

Proutia rotunda

Unknown
Round-winged SweepVU

Round-winged Sweep

Epichnopterix plumella

Unknown
Netted SweepCR

Netted Sweep

Whittleia retiella

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Syndyas nigripes

Unknown
Chrysotus cupreusCR

Chrysotus cupreus

Unknown
VU

narulukkokiiluri

Syntormon filiger

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dusky Sweep classified as Endangered?
Dusky Sweep 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 Dusky Sweep faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from coastal development and pollution in its marine environment. Climate change and ocean acidification are increasingly impacting the coral reef ecosystems this species depends on for feeding and shelter.
Where does Dusky Sweep live?
Dusky Sweep occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, and Denmark (plus 23 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 Dusky Sweep?
The main threats to Dusky Sweep 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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