Vingerzeggegrasmineermot
EN

Vingerzeggegrasmineermot

Elachista occidentalis

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Elachista occidentalis faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation and loss of its specialized host plants in coastal dune systems. Agricultural intensification and urban development have fragmented the remaining suitable habitats, while changes in grazing patterns have altered the structure of grassland communities essential for this species' survival. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting host plant quality and distribution.

Threat summary

Habitat

This micro-moth inhabits coastal dune grasslands and calcareous grasslands where its sedge host plants thrive. The species requires well-maintained grassland ecosystems with appropriate grazing or management regimes that maintain the optimal structure for both adult moths and larval development.

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 Vingerzeggegrasmineermot classified as Endangered?
Vingerzeggegrasmineermot 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. Elachista occidentalis faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation and loss of its specialized host plants in coastal dune systems. Agricultural intensification and urban development have fragmented the remaining suitable habitats, while changes in grazing patterns have altered the structure of grassland communities essential for this species' survival. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting host plant quality and distribution.
Where does Vingerzeggegrasmineermot live?
Vingerzeggegrasmineermot occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Estonia, Finland, France, and Georgia (plus 7 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 Vingerzeggegrasmineermot?
The main threats to Vingerzeggegrasmineermot 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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