Laccophilus minutus
VU

Laccophilus minutus

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Grundschwimmer faces severe pressure from agricultural intensification and wetland drainage across its European range. Pollution from agricultural runoff, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, degrades water quality in the shallow ponds and temporary pools essential for its survival. Climate change exacerbates these threats by altering precipitation patterns, leading to earlier drying of breeding habitats and disrupting the species' reproductive cycle.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Grundschwimmer inhabits shallow, temporary pools, small ponds, and slow-flowing streams with abundant aquatic vegetation. It particularly favors ephemeral wetlands that dry seasonally, as well as agricultural ditches and small water bodies in lowland areas across Europe.

Other threatened species in Dytiscidae

CR

Hydroporus longulus

Unknown
Graptodytes granularisCR

Graptodytes granularis

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CR

Porhydrus lineatus

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VU

lesser spangled diving beetle

Graphoderus cinereus

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

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EN

Dolichopus notatus

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Haplodrassus cognatusCR

Haplodrassus cognatus

Unknown
Yellow-breasted BuntingCR

Yellow-breasted Bunting

Emberiza aureola

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Laccophilus minutus classified as Vulnerable?
Laccophilus minutus 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 Grundschwimmer faces severe pressure from agricultural intensification and wetland drainage across its European range. Pollution from agricultural runoff, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, degrades water quality in the shallow ponds and temporary pools essential for its survival. Climate change exacerbates these threats by altering precipitation patterns, leading to earlier drying of breeding habitats and disrupting the species' reproductive cycle.
Where does Laccophilus minutus live?
Laccophilus minutus occurs in Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, and Belgium (plus 35 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 Laccophilus minutus?
The main threats to Laccophilus minutus 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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