Meadow Dwarf
VU

Meadow Dwarf

Elachista triatomea

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Meadow Dwarf faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and grassland conversion, which destroys the native grass species its larvae depend upon. Habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting dispersal between suitable sites. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the phenology of host plants and shifting suitable habitat ranges northward.

Threat summary

Habitat

This micro-moth inhabits natural and semi-natural grasslands, particularly species-rich meadows and chalk downs where its host grasses thrive. The species requires unimproved grasslands with diverse plant communities that support both larval development and adult nectar sources.

Other threatened species in Elachistidae

Elachista elegansVU

Elachista elegans

Unknown
Scarce DwarfVU

Scarce Dwarf

Elachista trapeziella

Unknown
Highland DwarfVU

Highland Dwarf

Elachista eskoi

Unknown
Elachista chrysodesmellaVU

Elachista chrysodesmella

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 Meadow Dwarf classified as Vulnerable?
Meadow Dwarf 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. The Meadow Dwarf faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and grassland conversion, which destroys the native grass species its larvae depend upon. Habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting dispersal between suitable sites. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the phenology of host plants and shifting suitable habitat ranges northward.
Where does Meadow Dwarf live?
Meadow Dwarf occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, and Germany (plus 3 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 Meadow Dwarf?
The main threats to Meadow Dwarf 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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