Field Dwarf
VU

Field Dwarf

Elachista consortella

Unknown

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

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Field Dwarf faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and the widespread use of herbicides that eliminate its host grasses. Habitat fragmentation through conversion of natural grasslands to intensive farming reduces available breeding sites, while climate change may alter the distribution and phenology of its specific grass hosts, disrupting the moth's tightly synchronized life cycle.

Threat summary

Habitat

This micro-moth inhabits natural and semi-natural grasslands, particularly chalk downs, coastal grasslands, and unimproved meadows where its host grasses grow. The species requires areas with diverse grass communities that provide suitable microhabitats for larval development within grass stems and seed heads.

Other threatened species in Elachistidae

Elachista occidentalisEN

Elachista occidentalis

Unknown
Meadow DwarfVU

Meadow Dwarf

Elachista triatomea

Unknown
Scarce DwarfVU

Scarce Dwarf

Elachista trapeziella

Unknown
Highland DwarfVU

Highland Dwarf

Elachista eskoi

Unknown

Threatened in Austria

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown
EN

Pipizella nigriana

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Field Dwarf classified as Vulnerable?
Field Dwarf 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 Field Dwarf faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and the widespread use of herbicides that eliminate its host grasses. Habitat fragmentation through conversion of natural grasslands to intensive farming reduces available breeding sites, while climate change may alter the distribution and phenology of its specific grass hosts, disrupting the moth's tightly synchronized life cycle.
Where does Field Dwarf live?
Field Dwarf occurs in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, and Estonia (plus 13 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 Field Dwarf?
The main threats to Field Dwarf 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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