Pigmy Skipper
CR

Pigmy Skipper

Gegenes pumilio

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

The Pigmy Skipper faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion and urban development across its Mediterranean range. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency, affecting the grassland ecosystems this species depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

Mediterranean dry grasslands, scrublands, and open rocky areas with sparse vegetation, typically found in coastal regions and hillsides up to 1000m elevation. The species requires areas with its host grasses and nectar sources in warm, sunny locations.

Other threatened species in Hesperiidae

VU

Olive Skipper

Pyrgus serratulae

Unknown
Tufted Marbled SkipperVU

Tufted Marbled Skipper

Carcharodus floccifera

Unknown
VU

Red Underwing Skipper

Spialia sertorius

Unknown
Northern Chequered SkipperVU

Northern Chequered Skipper

Carterocephalus silvicola

Unknown

Threatened in Afghanistan

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Asiatic Black BearVU

Asiatic Black Bear

Ursus thibetanus

Declining
VU

Urial

Ovis vignei

Declining
VU

Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard

Saara hardwickii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pigmy Skipper classified as Critically Endangered?
Pigmy Skipper 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 Pigmy Skipper faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion and urban development across its Mediterranean range. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency, affecting the grassland ecosystems this species depends upon.
Where does Pigmy Skipper live?
Pigmy Skipper occurs in Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Botswana, and Colombia (plus 36 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 Pigmy Skipper?
The main threats to Pigmy Skipper 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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