Map
EN

Map

Araschnia levana

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

The Map butterfly faces severe population declines across its European range due to habitat fragmentation and loss of woodland edge environments. Climate change disrupts the species' complex seasonal dimorphism and voltinism patterns, affecting reproduction timing and larval development on nettle host plants. Agricultural intensification and urbanization have eliminated many traditional breeding sites, while forest management practices often remove the semi-shaded woodland margins essential for this species.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Map butterfly inhabits woodland edges, clearings, and semi-shaded areas where its primary host plant, stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), grows abundantly. It requires a mosaic of sunny and partially shaded microhabitats within deciduous and mixed forests, particularly favoring areas with dappled sunlight and sheltered conditions.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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EN

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Map classified as Endangered?
Map is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Map butterfly faces severe population declines across its European range due to habitat fragmentation and loss of woodland edge environments. Climate change disrupts the species' complex seasonal dimorphism and voltinism patterns, affecting reproduction timing and larval development on nettle host plants. Agricultural intensification and urbanization have eliminated many traditional breeding sites, while forest management practices often remove the semi-shaded woodland margins essential for this species.
Where does Map live?
Map occurs in Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Bulgaria (plus 40 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 Map?
The main threats to Map 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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