Sulphur Pearl
VU

Sulphur Pearl

Sitochroa palealis

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Sulphur Pearl faces severe pressure from agricultural intensification and habitat conversion across its European range. Traditional chalk grassland management practices that maintained the species' specialized habitat requirements have largely been abandoned, leading to scrubland encroachment and loss of suitable breeding sites. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the phenology of its host plants and shifting suitable habitat zones northward faster than the species can adapt.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Sulphur Pearl inhabits chalk downs, limestone grasslands, and coastal cliffs across parts of Europe, particularly favoring areas with short, species-rich turf maintained by traditional grazing. The species requires specific microhabitats with exposed soil and sparse vegetation where its larvae can develop on low-growing herbaceous plants.

Other threatened species in Crambidae

Yellow Grass-veneerVU

Yellow Grass-veneer

Catoptria lythargyrella

Unknown
Ringed China-markVU

Ringed China-mark

Parapoynx stratiotata

Unknown
Pyrausta aerealisVU

Pyrausta aerealis

Unknown
Pyrauste des origansVU

Pyrauste des origans

Pyrausta porphyralis

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 Sulphur Pearl classified as Vulnerable?
Sulphur Pearl 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 Sulphur Pearl faces severe pressure from agricultural intensification and habitat conversion across its European range. Traditional chalk grassland management practices that maintained the species' specialized habitat requirements have largely been abandoned, leading to scrubland encroachment and loss of suitable breeding sites. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the phenology of its host plants and shifting suitable habitat zones northward faster than the species can adapt.
Where does Sulphur Pearl live?
Sulphur Pearl occurs in Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, and Belgium (plus 48 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 Sulphur Pearl?
The main threats to Sulphur Pearl 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.

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.