Krueper's Small White
Pieris krueperi
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieris_krueperi
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Krueper's Small White faces significant pressure from habitat degradation in its Mediterranean mountain ranges, where agricultural intensification and urban development fragment its specialized limestone grassland habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the elevation zones where its host plants thrive, potentially forcing populations into increasingly restricted refugia. The species' narrow ecological requirements and limited dispersal ability make it particularly vulnerable to these combined pressures.
Habitat
This butterfly inhabits dry, rocky limestone grasslands and scrublands in mountainous regions of the eastern Mediterranean, typically at elevations between 500-1500 meters. It shows a strong preference for areas with abundant wild mustard family plants, particularly those growing in calcareous soils with sparse vegetation cover.
Other threatened species in Pieridae
Threatened in Afghanistan
Frequently asked questions
Why is Krueper's Small White classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Krueper's Small White live?
What are the main threats to Krueper's Small White?
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