CRCritically Endangered

Laysan Hedyleptan Moth

Omiodes laysanensis

Unknown

Overview

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

Omiodes laysanensis faces extreme vulnerability due to its restriction to Laysan Island, a small coral atoll covering only 1.6 square kilometers in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The species' survival is threatened by habitat degradation from invasive plant species that alter the native vegetation structure essential for its lifecycle. Climate change poses an additional severe risk through sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which could devastate the low-lying island habitat. The moth's limited dispersal ability and small population size make recovery from disturbances extremely difficult.
Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic moth inhabits the native shrubland and grassland communities of Laysan Island, a remote coral atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The species depends on the island's specialized vegetation, including native bunch grasses and low shrubs that have adapted to the harsh, salt-spray environment.

Conservation measures underway

Habitat & natural process restorationSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in CRAMBIDAE

Telegraphic Hedyleptan Moth

Omiodes telegrapha

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Laysan Hedyleptan Moth classified as Critically Endangered?

Laysan Hedyleptan Moth 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. Omiodes laysanensis faces extreme vulnerability due to its restriction to Laysan Island, a small coral atoll covering only 1.6 square kilometers in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The species' survival is threatened by habitat degradation from invasive plant species that alter the native vegetation structure essential for its lifecycle. Climate change poses an additional severe risk through sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which could devastate the low-lying island habitat. The moth's limited dispersal ability and small population size make recovery from disturbances extremely difficult.

Where does Laysan Hedyleptan Moth live?

Laysan Hedyleptan Moth 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 Laysan Hedyleptan Moth?

The main threats to Laysan Hedyleptan Moth are 8.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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