Swan-feather Dwarf
EN

Swan-feather Dwarf

Elachista argentella

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Swan-feather Dwarf faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation and loss of its specialized host plants. Agricultural intensification and urban development have fragmented the grassland ecosystems this micro-moth depends upon. Climate change is altering the phenology of both the moth and its host plants, disrupting critical breeding cycles and larval development timing.

Threat summary

Habitat

This micro-moth inhabits natural and semi-natural grasslands, particularly chalk downs and limestone grasslands where its host plants thrive. The species requires areas with specific grass species that support larval development, typically in unimproved grassland with diverse plant communities.

Other threatened species in Elachistidae

Elachista elegansVU

Elachista elegans

Unknown
Meadow DwarfVU

Meadow Dwarf

Elachista triatomea

Unknown
Scarce DwarfVU

Scarce Dwarf

Elachista trapeziella

Unknown
Highland DwarfVU

Highland Dwarf

Elachista eskoi

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 Swan-feather Dwarf classified as Endangered?
Swan-feather Dwarf is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Swan-feather Dwarf faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation and loss of its specialized host plants. Agricultural intensification and urban development have fragmented the grassland ecosystems this micro-moth depends upon. Climate change is altering the phenology of both the moth and its host plants, disrupting critical breeding cycles and larval development timing.
Where does Swan-feather Dwarf live?
Swan-feather Dwarf occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Czechia (plus 29 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 Swan-feather Dwarf?
The main threats to Swan-feather Dwarf 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.