Small Whiteface
VU

Small Whiteface

Leucorrhinia dubia

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-faced_darter

Overview

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

The White-faced Darter faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation and loss of suitable bog and moorland pools. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering water levels and temperature regimes in the acidic, nutrient-poor waters this species requires for breeding. Drainage of wetlands for agriculture and forestry, along with peat extraction, has eliminated many historical breeding sites across its European range.

Threat summary

Habitat

White-faced Darters inhabit acidic, nutrient-poor pools and shallow lakes in bogs, heathlands, and moorlands, typically with abundant Sphagnum moss and emergent vegetation. They require clean, unpolluted waters with stable water levels for successful larval development.

FRESHWATER· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Libellulidae

Keeled SkimmerVU

Keeled Skimmer

Orthetrum coerulescens

Unknown
Yellow-winged DarterVU

Yellow-winged Darter

Sympetrum flaveolum

Unknown
Black-tailed SkimmerVU

Black-tailed Skimmer

Orthetrum cancellatum

Unknown
Blue ChaserCR

Blue Chaser

Libellula fulva

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 Small Whiteface classified as Vulnerable?
Small Whiteface is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The White-faced Darter faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation and loss of suitable bog and moorland pools. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering water levels and temperature regimes in the acidic, nutrient-poor waters this species requires for breeding. Drainage of wetlands for agriculture and forestry, along with peat extraction, has eliminated many historical breeding sites across its European range.
Where does Small Whiteface live?
Small Whiteface occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Congo - Kinshasa (plus 30 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 Small Whiteface?
The main threats to Small Whiteface 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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