May Shade
EN

May Shade

Cnephasia communana

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The May Shade faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited European range. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the timing of host plant availability, disrupting the species' synchronized life cycle with its preferred food sources. The moth's specialized habitat requirements and narrow ecological niche make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

The May Shade inhabits woodland edges, hedgerows, and scrubland areas across parts of Europe, particularly favoring areas with abundant herbaceous plants that serve as larval host species. The species requires a mosaic of semi-natural habitats with diverse plant communities to support both adult feeding and larval development.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is May Shade classified as Endangered?
May Shade 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 May Shade faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited European range. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the timing of host plant availability, disrupting the species' synchronized life cycle with its preferred food sources. The moth's specialized habitat requirements and narrow ecological niche make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Where does May Shade live?
May Shade occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, and Estonia (plus 20 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 May Shade?
The main threats to May Shade 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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