VU

Gran Canarian Grayling

Hipparchia tamadabae

DecliningLCEULCEU

Overview

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

Hipparchia tamadabae faces severe pressure from habitat degradation in its restricted Canary Islands range, particularly on Gran Canaria where urban development and tourism infrastructure continue to fragment its specialized laurel forest habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns affect the cool, humid microclimates this endemic butterfly requires. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it highly vulnerable to local extinctions from fire, invasive plant species, and recreational activities that disturb its breeding sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic butterfly inhabits the remnant laurel forests (laurisilva) of the Canary Islands, particularly favoring cool, humid areas with dense canopy cover between 400-1200 meters elevation. It requires specific microclimates within these ancient forest ecosystems, often found in clearings and forest edges where its host plants thrive.

Rocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in NYMPHALIDAE

VU

Idea tambusisiana

Unknown
VU

Regal Fritillary

Argynnis idalia

Declining
VU

Amauris phoedon

Unknown
EN

Euploea albicosta

Unknown

Threatened in Spain

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
EN

Double Spleenwort

Asplenium anceps

Declining
VU

Madeira Rustyback Fern

Asplenium lolegnamense

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Gran Canarian Grayling classified as Vulnerable?
Gran Canarian 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. Hipparchia tamadabae faces severe pressure from habitat degradation in its restricted Canary Islands range, particularly on Gran Canaria where urban development and tourism infrastructure continue to fragment its specialized laurel forest habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns affect the cool, humid microclimates this endemic butterfly requires. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it highly vulnerable to local extinctions from fire, invasive plant species, and recreational activities that disturb its breeding sites.
Where does Gran Canarian Grayling live?
Gran Canarian Grayling occurs in Spain. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Gran Canarian Grayling?
The main threats to Gran Canarian 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.