Scotch Argus
CR

Scotch Argus

Erebia aethiops

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

The Scotch Argus faces severe population declines due to habitat fragmentation and loss of its specialized grassland environments. Climate change poses additional pressure by altering the temperature and moisture conditions required for its host plants and larval development. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, but localized extinctions have been documented across portions of its range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits unimproved grasslands, moorlands, and forest clearings, typically on acidic soils between 200-800m elevation. Requires areas with abundant purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea) and other grasses that serve as larval host plants.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Scotch Argus classified as Critically Endangered?
Scotch Argus 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 Scotch Argus faces severe population declines due to habitat fragmentation and loss of its specialized grassland environments. Climate change poses additional pressure by altering the temperature and moisture conditions required for its host plants and larval development. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, but localized extinctions have been documented across portions of its range.
Where does Scotch Argus live?
Scotch Argus occurs in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Belgium (plus 32 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 Scotch Argus?
The main threats to Scotch Argus 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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