Gruner's Orange-tip
VU

Gruner's Orange-tip

Anthocharis gruneri

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Gruner's Orange-tip faces significant pressure from habitat degradation across its Mediterranean range, particularly through agricultural intensification and urban development that fragments its specialized limestone grassland habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the phenology of its host plants and shifting suitable habitat zones to higher elevations. The species' restricted range and specific ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to these combined pressures.

Threat summary

Habitat

This butterfly inhabits dry limestone grasslands, rocky slopes, and Mediterranean scrubland at elevations typically between 500-1500 meters. It shows a strong preference for areas with abundant populations of its cruciferous host plants, particularly in calcareous soils with sparse vegetation cover.

Other threatened species in Pieridae

EN

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Unknown
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Small Bath WhiteVU

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Pontia chloridice

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Calidris ferrugineaVU

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Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
Adonis BlueVU

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Lysandra bellargus

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VU

Anthribus fasciatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Gruner's Orange-tip classified as Vulnerable?
Gruner's Orange-tip 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. Gruner's Orange-tip faces significant pressure from habitat degradation across its Mediterranean range, particularly through agricultural intensification and urban development that fragments its specialized limestone grassland habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the phenology of its host plants and shifting suitable habitat zones to higher elevations. The species' restricted range and specific ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to these combined pressures.
Where does Gruner's Orange-tip live?
Gruner's Orange-tip occurs in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, and Greece (plus 8 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 Gruner's Orange-tip?
The main threats to Gruner's Orange-tip 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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