Bordered Ermel
EN

Bordered Ermel

Ethmia bipunctella

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Viper's Bugloss Moth faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its European range. The species' dependence on viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare) as its primary larval host plant makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in grassland management and the widespread use of herbicides that eliminate this crucial food source.

Threat summary

Habitat

This moth inhabits coastal dunes, chalk downs, railway embankments, and disturbed ground where its host plant viper's bugloss grows abundantly. The species requires warm, sunny locations with sparse vegetation and well-drained soils typical of calcareous grasslands and brownfield sites.

Other threatened species in Ethmiidae

Mountain ErmelEN

Mountain Ermel

Ethmia pyrausta

Unknown
Striped ErmelCR

Striped Ermel

Ethmia pusiella

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown
Haplodrassus cognatusCR

Haplodrassus cognatus

Unknown
Yellow-breasted BuntingCR

Yellow-breasted Bunting

Emberiza aureola

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Bordered Ermel classified as Endangered?
Bordered Ermel 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 Viper's Bugloss Moth faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its European range. The species' dependence on viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare) as its primary larval host plant makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in grassland management and the widespread use of herbicides that eliminate this crucial food source.
Where does Bordered Ermel live?
Bordered Ermel occurs in Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, and Belgium (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 Bordered Ermel?
The main threats to Bordered Ermel 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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