Spanish Argus
Aricia morronensis
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aricia_morronensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Spanish Argus faces severe habitat degradation due to overgrazing by livestock and agricultural intensification in its montane grassland habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to higher elevations with increasingly limited suitable habitat. Urban development and infrastructure projects in mountain valleys further fragment its already restricted range.
Habitat
The Spanish Argus inhabits montane grasslands and alpine meadows in the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain, typically at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. It requires flower-rich grasslands with its host plants from the Geranium family, particularly in areas with traditional extensive grazing regimes.
Other threatened species in Lycaenidae
Threatened in Andorra
Frequently asked questions
Why is Spanish Argus classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Spanish Argus live?
What are the main threats to Spanish Argus?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.