Spotted Sulphur
CR

Spotted Sulphur

Acontia trabealis

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Spotted Sulphur faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering the distribution and abundance of its host plants, while pesticide use in agricultural areas directly impacts both adult moths and their larval food sources.

Threat summary

Habitat

Open grasslands, prairie margins, agricultural edges, and disturbed areas where native leguminous host plants occur. The species typically inhabits areas with scattered shrubs and herbaceous vegetation at low to moderate elevations.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Spotted Sulphur classified as Critically Endangered?
Spotted Sulphur is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Spotted Sulphur faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering the distribution and abundance of its host plants, while pesticide use in agricultural areas directly impacts both adult moths and their larval food sources.
Where does Spotted Sulphur live?
Spotted Sulphur occurs in Afghanistan, Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, and Austria (plus 55 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 Spotted Sulphur?
The main threats to Spotted Sulphur 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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