Valkruidboorvlieg
EN

Valkruidboorvlieg

Tephritis arnicae

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Valkruidboorvlieg faces severe population decline primarily due to the loss of its specialized host plant, Arnica montana, across European mountain meadows. Agricultural intensification and abandonment of traditional hay meadow management have eliminated the flower-rich grasslands this species requires for reproduction. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures push suitable habitat to higher elevations, fragmenting already isolated populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This specialized fly inhabits mountain meadows and grasslands between 500-2000m elevation where its host plant Arnica montana grows. It requires flower-rich, extensively managed hay meadows with low fertilizer input and traditional cutting regimes that maintain the delicate ecological balance needed for both the fly and its host plant to thrive.

Other threatened species in Tephritidae

VU

Margrietboorvlieg

Oxyna nebulosa

Unknown

Threatened in Austria

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
agnhodeedderkoppCR

agnhodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria alticeps

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Valkruidboorvlieg classified as Endangered?
Valkruidboorvlieg 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 Valkruidboorvlieg faces severe population decline primarily due to the loss of its specialized host plant, Arnica montana, across European mountain meadows. Agricultural intensification and abandonment of traditional hay meadow management have eliminated the flower-rich grasslands this species requires for reproduction. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures push suitable habitat to higher elevations, fragmenting already isolated populations.
Where does Valkruidboorvlieg live?
Valkruidboorvlieg occurs in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Netherlands (plus 5 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 Valkruidboorvlieg?
The main threats to Valkruidboorvlieg 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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