Species

BackArgyresthia poecilella (Rebel, 1940)

Argyresthia poecilella (Rebel, 1940)

Moth (English); Traça (Portuguese)

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Lepidoptera
  • Family: Yponomeutidae
CR Critically Endangered
IUCN Red List Status:

Countries of Occurrence:
Portugal - Azores

Archipelago(s):
Azores

Reviewer/s:
Danielczak, A.

Contributor/s:
Nunes, R. & Lamelas-Lopez, L.

Facilitators / Compilers/s:


Assessment Rationale:

Tinea poecilella is an endemic species from Furnas, S. Miguel island (Azores, Portugal) (Rebel 1940, Borges et al. 2010). It has a very small extent of occurrence (EOO = 8 km²) and area of occupancy (AOO = 8 km²). There is a continuing decline in the EOO, AOO, extent and quality of habitat as well as the number of mature individuals as a result of major land-use change in the last 60 years and recent spread of invasive species. Main recent past and ongoing threats is the invasive plant Hedychium gardnerianum that is changing the habitat. Based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will further decline as a consequence of climate change (increasing number of droughts). Based upon the small geographic range of the species with only one location and continuing decline of its habitat area and quality, it is assessed as Critically Endangered.

Geographic Range:

Tinea poecilella is a single island endemic species from S. Miguel island (Azores, Portugal) (Rebel 1940, Borges et al. 2010), known only from Furnas. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 8 km² and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 8 km².

Regions:
Portugal - Azores
Extent of Occurrence (EOO):
8 (km2)
Area of Occupancy (AOO):
8 (km2)
Elevation Lower Limit:
200 (m)
Elevation Upper Limit:
300 (m)
Biogeographic Realms:
Palearctic
Presence:
Extant
Origin:
Endemic Azores
Seasonality:
Resident

Population:

Like other species of the genera, possibly it occurs in houses, outbuildings, granaries and bird nests throughout Furnas, S. Miguel island. However, this species was never registered by local taxonomists in recent years.

Habitat and Ecology

This species occurs probably in the historical location (Furnas, S. Miguel island). Like other species of the genera, possibly it occurs in houses, outbuildings, granaries and bird nests. A female was recorded in May (Rebel 1940). Altitudinal range: 200-400 m.

Major Threat(s):

In the past, the species has probably strongly declined due to changes in habitat size (Triantis et al. 2010). In the last 50 years additional major land-use changes occurred in the historical location, and the spread of invasive species is a major threat namely Hedychium gardnerianum. Residencial development can be also a problem for this species. Based on Ferreira et al. (2016) the habitat will further decline as a consequence of climate change (increasing number of droughts and habitat shifting and alteration).

Conservation Actions

The species is not protected by regional law. Further research is needed into its ecology and life history in order to find extant specimens. Degraded habitats should be restored and a strategy needs to be developed to address the future threat by climate change. It is necessary a monitoring plan for the invertebrate community in the habitat in order to contribute to the conservation of this species. A habitat management plan is needed and anticipated to be developed during the coming years.