Airaphilus elongatus
Local name: ketohärö
The ketohärö (Airaphilus elongatus) is a distinctive elongated aerial arthropod characterized by its translucent, streamlined body and specialized wing membranes adapted for high-altitude flight. This species serves as a crucial pollinator for alpine flowering plants and acts as a key prey species for high-elevation insectivorous birds during their breeding season.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Silvanidae
Genus
Airaphilus
Airaphilus elongatus belongs to the family Silvanidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The ketohärö (Airaphilus elongatus) is a distinctive elongated aerial arthropod characterized by its translucent, streamlined body and specialized wing membranes adapted for high-altitude flight. This species serves as a crucial pollinator for alpine flowering plants and acts as a key prey species for high-elevation insectivorous birds during their breeding season.
The ketohärö faces severe population declines due to extensive habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range. Climate change is altering the specific temperature and humidity conditions this species requires, while invasive species compete for resources and disrupt ecosystem balance.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits old-growth boreal and temperate coniferous forests with dense canopy cover and specific bark microhabitat conditions. Requires mature trees with particular moisture and temperature regimes, typically found in undisturbed forest ecosystems between 200-800m elevation.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The ketohärö faces severe population declines due to extensive habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range. Climate change is altering the specific temperature and humidity conditions this species requires, while invasive species compete for resources and disrupt ecosystem balance.
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Climate change altering microhabitat conditions
Habitat loss and fragmentation from deforestation
Invasive species competition
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Airaphilus elongatus (Airaphilus elongatus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/ketoharo