Moorland Clouded Yellow
CR

Moorland Clouded Yellow

Colias palaeno

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

The Moorland Clouded Yellow faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification, peat bog drainage, and climate change impacts on its specialized moorland ecosystems. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are shifting suitable habitat ranges northward and to higher elevations, while remaining populations become increasingly fragmented and isolated.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits acidic peat bogs, wet moorlands, and montane grasslands typically above 400m elevation, particularly areas with abundant bilberry and bog bilberry which serve as larval host plants. Requires cool, humid conditions with specific microclimatic requirements including morning dew and shelter from strong winds.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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EN

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Moorland Clouded Yellow classified as Critically Endangered?
Moorland Clouded Yellow is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Moorland Clouded Yellow faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification, peat bog drainage, and climate change impacts on its specialized moorland ecosystems. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are shifting suitable habitat ranges northward and to higher elevations, while remaining populations become increasingly fragmented and isolated.
Where does Moorland Clouded Yellow live?
Moorland Clouded Yellow occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Moorland Clouded Yellow?
The main threats to Moorland Clouded Yellow 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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