Photedes morrisii
EN

Photedes morrisii

Local name: vitt stråfly

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Photedes morrisii faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited European range. The species' specialized dependence on specific host plants makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in grassland management practices. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the distribution and phenology of its larval food plants, potentially disrupting critical breeding cycles.

Threat summary

Habitat

This moth species inhabits coastal grasslands, chalk downs, and calcareous meadows across parts of Europe. The larvae are highly specialized, feeding on specific grass species in these nutrient-poor, well-drained grassland ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Noctuidae

Tawny ShearsVU

Tawny Shears

Hadena perplexa

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Noctuelle gris-de-lin (La)VU

Noctuelle gris-de-lin (La)

Epilecta linogrisea

Unknown
White-spotted PinionVU

White-spotted Pinion

Cosmia diffinis

Unknown
Sweet Gale MothVU

Sweet Gale Moth

Acronicta cinerea

Unknown

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 vitt stråfly classified as Endangered?
vitt stråfly 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. Photedes morrisii faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited European range. The species' specialized dependence on specific host plants makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in grassland management practices. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the distribution and phenology of its larval food plants, potentially disrupting critical breeding cycles.
Where does vitt stråfly live?
vitt stråfly occurs in Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, and Hungary (plus 8 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 vitt stråfly?
The main threats to vitt stråfly 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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