Elachista anserinella
EN

Elachista anserinella

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Witgele grasmineermot faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and grassland conversion. The species' specialized larval dependence on specific grass species makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in grassland management practices. Urban development and infrastructure expansion have further fragmented its remaining suitable habitats across its limited European range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This micro-moth inhabits natural and semi-natural grasslands, particularly calcareous grasslands and meadows where its larval host grasses occur. The species requires undisturbed grassland areas with diverse plant communities that support both adult nectar sources and specific grass species for larval development.

Other threatened species in Elachistidae

Elachista occidentalisEN

Elachista occidentalis

Unknown
Meadow DwarfVU

Meadow Dwarf

Elachista triatomea

Unknown
Scarce DwarfVU

Scarce Dwarf

Elachista trapeziella

Unknown
Highland DwarfVU

Highland Dwarf

Elachista eskoi

Unknown

Threatened in Austria

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown
EN

Pipizella nigriana

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Elachista anserinella classified as Endangered?
Elachista anserinella 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 Witgele grasmineermot faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and grassland conversion. The species' specialized larval dependence on specific grass species makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in grassland management practices. Urban development and infrastructure expansion have further fragmented its remaining suitable habitats across its limited European range.
Where does Elachista anserinella live?
Elachista anserinella occurs in Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, and France (plus 6 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 Elachista anserinella?
The main threats to Elachista anserinella 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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