Tawny Shears
VU

Tawny Shears

Hadena perplexa

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Tawny Shears faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and habitat modification across its European range. The species' specialized relationship with its host plants makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in grassland management practices, including increased pesticide use and altered mowing regimes. Climate change poses an additional threat by potentially disrupting the synchronization between the moth's life cycle and its host plant flowering periods.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Tawny Shears inhabits chalk downs, limestone grasslands, and other calcareous grassland habitats across Europe. The species requires areas with abundant populations of its host plants, particularly campions and related species in the Caryophyllaceae family.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Tawny Shears classified as Vulnerable?
Tawny Shears 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 Tawny Shears faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and habitat modification across its European range. The species' specialized relationship with its host plants makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in grassland management practices, including increased pesticide use and altered mowing regimes. Climate change poses an additional threat by potentially disrupting the synchronization between the moth's life cycle and its host plant flowering periods.
Where does Tawny Shears live?
Tawny Shears occurs in Afghanistan, Åland Islands, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, and Azerbaijan (plus 45 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 Tawny Shears?
The main threats to Tawny Shears 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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