Aphelocheirus aestivalis
CR

Aphelocheirus aestivalis

Local name: Vandvæggelus

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Vandvæggelus faces severe threats from water pollution, particularly agricultural runoff and industrial contamination that degrades the clean, well-oxygenated waters essential for its survival. Habitat destruction through river channelization, dam construction, and urban development has fragmented populations and reduced available breeding sites. Climate change is altering water temperatures and flow patterns, further stressing this specialized aquatic insect.

Threat summary

Habitat

Clean, fast-flowing rivers and streams with high oxygen content, typically found in well-vegetated catchments with natural flow regimes. The species requires unpolluted waters with stable substrates including stones, gravel, and aquatic vegetation where it can complete its aquatic life cycle.

Threatened in Austria

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
CR

Sorbus cucullifera

Unknown
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown
VU

Olive Skipper

Pyrgus serratulae

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Vandvæggelus classified as Critically Endangered?
Vandvæggelus 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. Vandvæggelus faces severe threats from water pollution, particularly agricultural runoff and industrial contamination that degrades the clean, well-oxygenated waters essential for its survival. Habitat destruction through river channelization, dam construction, and urban development has fragmented populations and reduced available breeding sites. Climate change is altering water temperatures and flow patterns, further stressing this specialized aquatic insect.
Where does Vandvæggelus live?
Vandvæggelus occurs in Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, and Finland (plus 19 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 Vandvæggelus?
The main threats to Vandvæggelus 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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