VU

Lycaena ottomana

DecliningLCEULCEU

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Lycaena ottomana faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited Mediterranean range. Overgrazing by livestock has significantly reduced the quality of grassland habitats where its host plants occur. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns affecting the butterfly's breeding cycles and host plant availability.

Threat summary

Habitat

This butterfly inhabits Mediterranean grasslands, scrublands, and open woodland edges at elevations typically between 500-1500 meters. It requires areas with abundant flowering plants for nectar sources and specific host plants from the Rumex genus for larval development.

Shrubland· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryLegislation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Lycaena ottomana classified as Vulnerable?
Lycaena ottomana is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Lycaena ottomana faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited Mediterranean range. Overgrazing by livestock has significantly reduced the quality of grassland habitats where its host plants occur. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns affecting the butterfly's breeding cycles and host plant availability.
Where does Lycaena ottomana live?
Lycaena ottomana occurs in Albania, Greece, and Türkiye. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Lycaena ottomana?
The main threats to Lycaena ottomana 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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