Rock Grayling
VU

Rock Grayling

Hipparchia hermione

UnknownNTEUNTEU

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

Overview

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

The Rock Grayling faces severe population declines across its European range due to habitat degradation and fragmentation of its specialized rocky grassland environments. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force populations to retreat to higher elevations, reducing available habitat. Agricultural intensification and abandonment of traditional grazing practices have altered the structure of grassland communities this species depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

Rock Graylings inhabit dry, rocky grasslands and limestone slopes at elevations typically between 500-2000 meters. They require areas with sparse vegetation, exposed rock surfaces for basking, and specific grass species that serve as larval host plants.

Other threatened species in Nymphalidae

Scarce FritillaryCR

Scarce Fritillary

Euphydryas maturna

Unknown
EN

Altopedaliodes albonotata

Unknown
Two-tailed PashaVU

Two-tailed Pasha

Charaxes jasius

Unknown
False GraylingVU

False Grayling

Arethusana arethusa

Unknown

Threatened in Andorra

VU

Olive Skipper

Pyrgus serratulae

Unknown
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

krokhorndyvel

Onthophagus fracticornis

Unknown
VU

Pyrenean Short-winged Grasshopper

Gomphoceridius brevipennis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rock Grayling classified as Vulnerable?
Rock Grayling 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 Rock Grayling faces severe population declines across its European range due to habitat degradation and fragmentation of its specialized rocky grassland environments. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force populations to retreat to higher elevations, reducing available habitat. Agricultural intensification and abandonment of traditional grazing practices have altered the structure of grassland communities this species depends upon.
Where does Rock Grayling live?
Rock Grayling occurs in Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Canada (plus 24 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 Rock Grayling?
The main threats to Rock Grayling 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.