Small Rufous
VU

Small Rufous

Coenobia rufa

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Small Rufous faces significant pressure from coastal development and tourism infrastructure along its sandy beach habitats throughout the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic coastlines. Climate change poses an escalating threat through sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which directly impacts the species' specialized nesting sites in beach vegetation. Invasive plant species are increasingly displacing native coastal flora that this moth depends on for larval development.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Small Rufous inhabits coastal sandy beaches and adjacent low-growing vegetation zones throughout the Caribbean islands and tropical Atlantic coastlines. This specialized moth requires specific host plants found in beach strand vegetation and coastal scrublands for larval development.

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Sweet Gale MothVU

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Anthophore estivaleCR

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Adonis BlueVU

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Lysandra bellargus

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agnhodeedderkoppCR

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Walckenaeria alticeps

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Small Rufous classified as Vulnerable?
Small Rufous 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 Rufous faces significant pressure from coastal development and tourism infrastructure along its sandy beach habitats throughout the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic coastlines. Climate change poses an escalating threat through sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which directly impacts the species' specialized nesting sites in beach vegetation. Invasive plant species are increasingly displacing native coastal flora that this moth depends on for larval development.
Where does Small Rufous live?
Small Rufous occurs in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Guernsey (plus 11 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 Rufous?
The main threats to Small Rufous 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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