Moorland Clouded Yellow
Colias palaeno
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colias_palaeno
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Pieridae
Genus
Colias
Moorland Clouded Yellow belongs to the family Pieridae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
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.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
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.
Climate change altering temperature and precipitation regimes
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion and intensification
Peat bog drainage and moorland degradation
Population fragmentation and isolation
Loss of host plant availability due to ecosystem changes
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Moorland Clouded Yellow (Colias palaeno). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/moorland-clouded-yellow