VUVulnerable

Small Bath White

Pontia chloridice

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

The Small Bath White faces severe population declines across its European range due to intensive agricultural practices that eliminate its cruciferous host plants and reduce flower-rich meadows essential for adult feeding. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the timing of plant phenology, disrupting the butterfly's synchronized breeding cycles. Urban development and infrastructure projects continue to fragment remaining suitable habitats, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.
Threat summary

Habitat

The Small Bath White inhabits open grasslands, meadows, and agricultural margins where cruciferous plants such as wild mustard and rocket grow abundantly. Adults require flower-rich areas with diverse nectar sources, particularly favoring areas with a mosaic of cultivated and semi-natural habitats.

Other threatened species in Pieridae

Catasticta revancha

Unknown

Southern Small White

Pieris mannii

Unknown

Krueper's Small White

Pieris krueperi

Unknown

Gruner's Orange-tip

Anthocharis gruneri

Unknown

Threatened in Afghanistan

Calidris ferruginea

Declining

small mallow

Malva pusilla

Unknown

Tiger Sawgill

Lentinus tigrinus

Unknown

Malus komarovii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Small Bath White classified as Vulnerable?

Small Bath White 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 Small Bath White faces severe population declines across its European range due to intensive agricultural practices that eliminate its cruciferous host plants and reduce flower-rich meadows essential for adult feeding. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the timing of plant phenology, disrupting the butterfly's synchronized breeding cycles. Urban development and infrastructure projects continue to fragment remaining suitable habitats, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.

Where does Small Bath White live?

Small Bath White occurs in Afghanistan, Armenia, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, and Finland (plus 18 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 Small Bath White?

The main threats to Small Bath White 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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