Least Minor
CR

Least Minor

Photedes captiuncula

Unknown

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

Overview

Photedes captiuncula, the least minor, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found throughout Europe, in Turkey, Armenia, Russia and much of temperate Asia.

The Least Minor (Photedes captiuncula) is critically endangered primarily due to severe habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. The species depends on specific host plants in fen and marsh habitats that have been extensively drained, developed, or altered by agricultural intensification and urban expansion.

Threat summary

Other threatened species in Noctuidae

Tawny ShearsVU

Tawny Shears

Hadena perplexa

Unknown
Noctuelle gris-de-lin (La)VU

Noctuelle gris-de-lin (La)

Epilecta linogrisea

Unknown
White-spotted PinionVU

White-spotted Pinion

Cosmia diffinis

Unknown
Sweet Gale MothVU

Sweet Gale Moth

Acronicta cinerea

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Syndyas nigripes

Unknown
Chrysotus cupreusCR

Chrysotus cupreus

Unknown
VU

narulukkokiiluri

Syntormon filiger

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Least Minor classified as Critically Endangered?
Least Minor is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Least Minor (Photedes captiuncula) is critically endangered primarily due to severe habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. The species depends on specific host plants in fen and marsh habitats that have been extensively drained, developed, or altered by agricultural intensification and urban expansion.
Where does Least Minor live?
Least Minor occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, and France (plus 16 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 Least Minor?
The main threats to Least Minor 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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