Scotch Argus
Erebia aethiops
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
38
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_argus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Nymphalidae
Genus
Erebia
Scotch Argus belongs to the family Nymphalidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
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.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
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.
Agricultural intensification
Climate change impacts
Habitat fragmentation and loss
Overgrazing and inappropriate land management
Urban development pressure
Found in 38 Countries
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
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
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). Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/scotch-argus