Viper's Bugloss Moth
EN

Viper's Bugloss Moth

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

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Syndyas nigripes

Unknown
Chrysotus cupreusCR

Chrysotus cupreus

Unknown
VU

narulukkokiiluri

Syntormon filiger

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Viper's Bugloss Moth classified as Endangered?
Viper's Bugloss Moth 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 Viper's Bugloss Moth live?
Viper's Bugloss Moth 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 Viper's Bugloss Moth?
The main threats to Viper's Bugloss Moth 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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