Welsh Chafer
Hoplia philanthus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Welsh Chafer faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and coastal development across its limited range in Wales and southwest England. Overgrazing by livestock has degraded the species' preferred dune grassland habitats, while climate change threatens the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems this beetle depends upon. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from individual site disturbances.
Habitat
The Welsh Chafer inhabits coastal sand dunes and calcareous grasslands, particularly favoring areas with sparse vegetation and exposed sandy soils. Adults are associated with flowering plants in dune systems, while larvae develop in the sandy substrate of these specialized coastal environments.
Other threatened species in Scarabaeidae
Threatened in Austria
Frequently asked questions
Why is Welsh Chafer classified as Endangered?
Where does Welsh Chafer live?
What are the main threats to Welsh Chafer?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.