Lang's Short-tailed Blue
Leptotes pirithous
Leptotes pirithous, commonly known as Lang's short-tailed blue or common zebra blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae.
85
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptotes_pirithous
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Lycaenidae
Genus
Leptotes
Lang's Short-tailed Blue belongs to the family Lycaenidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Leptotes pirithous, commonly known as Lang's short-tailed blue or common zebra blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae.
Lang's Short-tailed Blue faces significant population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its Mediterranean range. Climate change is altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants, further threatening breeding success and population stability.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species can be found in southern Europe (Spain, France and Italy), along the Mediterranean coast, in Asia Minor up to the Himalayas, and in most of Africa and Madagascar.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Lang's Short-tailed Blue faces significant population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its Mediterranean range. Climate change is altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants, further threatening breeding success and population stability.
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Urban development and habitat fragmentation
Climate change affecting host plant availability
Coastal development destroying breeding sites
Loss of traditional grazing practices
Found in 85 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
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
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/langs-short-tailed-blue