Least Minor
Photedes captiuncula
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.
22
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photedes_captiuncula
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Noctuidae
Genus
Photedes
Least Minor belongs to the family Noctuidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
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.
Key Facts
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
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.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Loss of host plant species
Wetland drainage and conversion
Climate change impacts on wetland hydrology
Found in 22 Countries
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). Least Minor (Photedes captiuncula). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/least-minor