Small Blue
VU

Small Blue

Cupido minimus

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

The Small Blue faces severe decline across its European range due to habitat fragmentation and loss of its specialized host plant, kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria). Agricultural intensification and abandonment of traditional grazing practices have eliminated the short, flower-rich grasslands this species requires. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the timing of butterfly emergence relative to host plant flowering periods.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Small Blue inhabits short, species-rich calcareous grasslands, chalk downs, and limestone pavements where its sole host plant kidney vetch grows abundantly. It requires warm, sheltered sites with sparse vegetation maintained by grazing, typically on south-facing slopes below 500 meters elevation.

Other threatened species in Lycaenidae

Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
Geranium ArgusVU

Geranium Argus

Eumedonia eumedon

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Spanish ArgusVU

Spanish Argus

Aricia morronensis

Unknown
Iolas BlueVU

Iolas Blue

Iolana iolas

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

knopphodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria nodosa

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Small Blue classified as Vulnerable?
Small Blue 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 Blue faces severe decline across its European range due to habitat fragmentation and loss of its specialized host plant, kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria). Agricultural intensification and abandonment of traditional grazing practices have eliminated the short, flower-rich grasslands this species requires. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the timing of butterfly emergence relative to host plant flowering periods.
Where does Small Blue live?
Small Blue occurs in Åland Islands, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, and Belarus (plus 45 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 Blue?
The main threats to Small Blue 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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