Freyer's Grayling
VU

Freyer's Grayling

Hipparchia fatua

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Freyer's Grayling faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation and fragmentation of its specialized limestone grassland environments. Agricultural intensification and abandonment of traditional grazing practices have altered the structure and composition of its preferred habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting suitable habitat zones to higher elevations, potentially reducing available habitat area and isolating remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Freyer's Grayling inhabits dry, calcareous grasslands and rocky slopes, particularly favoring limestone substrates with sparse vegetation and exposed ground. The species requires a mosaic of short-grazed areas interspersed with taller grasses and scattered shrubs, typically found at elevations between 500-1500 meters in mountainous regions.

Other threatened species in Nymphalidae

Siberian BrownCR

Siberian Brown

Coenonympha phryne

Unknown
Scotch ArgusCR

Scotch Argus

Erebia aethiops

Unknown
Scarce FritillaryCR

Scarce Fritillary

Euphydryas maturna

Unknown
EN

Altopedaliodes albonotata

Unknown

Threatened in Albania

VU

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Anser erythropus

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
Common Fire SalamanderVU

Common Fire Salamander

Salamandra salamandra

Declining
EN

Ohrigocea stankovici

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Freyer's Grayling classified as Vulnerable?
Freyer's Grayling 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. Freyer's Grayling faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation and fragmentation of its specialized limestone grassland environments. Agricultural intensification and abandonment of traditional grazing practices have altered the structure and composition of its preferred habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting suitable habitat zones to higher elevations, potentially reducing available habitat area and isolating remaining populations.
Where does Freyer's Grayling live?
Freyer's Grayling occurs in Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, and Georgia (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 Freyer's Grayling?
The main threats to Freyer's Grayling 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.