Gonepteryx cleobule

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	ARTHROPODA	INSECTA	LEPIDOPTERA	PIERIDAE

Scientific Name:

Gonepteryx cleobule

Species Authority:

(Hübner, 1825)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Canary Brimstone

Taxonomic Notes:

The Canary Brimstone used to be considered a subspecies of the Cleopatra (G. cleopatra).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v) ver 3.1
Year Published:	2010
Assessor/s:	van Swaay, C., Wynhoff, I., Verovnik, R., Wiemers, M., López Munguira, M., Maes, D., Sasic, M., Verstrael, T., Warren, M. & Settele, J.
Reviewer/s:	Lewis, O. (Butterfly RLA) & Cuttelod, A. (IUCN Red List Unit)
Contributor/s:
Justification: The extent of occurrence (EOO) of this endemic butterfly is less than 5,000 km² (but larger than 100 km²), the number of locations is fewer than ten and it has a continuing decline. Therefore it is classified as Vulnerable at the global, European and the EU27 level.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The Canary Brimstone occurs in the Canary Islands at elevations between 1,000-1,500 m, sometimes up to 2,000 m. In winter it also occurs at lower elevations. This is a European endemic species.
Countries:	Native: Spain (Canary Is.)
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This is a local species, restricted to (semi-) natural areas. Population declines have been estimated at 10%.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This butterfly can be seen in laurel forests on the north sides of the mountains, but also in other types of forests; they are very mobile and can be seen far away from their reproduction sites. The caterpillars feed on Rhamnus glandulosa and R. crenulata. It is not known how many generations a year are on the wing. Detailed habitat descriptions are not available.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This is a European endemic with a restricted range. The survival of the species is bound to its habitat, the laurel forest, which is still threatened although a part is legally protected. The main threats for laurel forests on the Canary Islands are tourist resorts and illegal building destroying part of the habitats, especially alongside roads or near settlements. Fires are another significant threat. Accidentally and intentionally set for livestock grazing, crop planting, timber and real estate speculation are also impacting the laurel forest.

Major Threat(s):

This is a European endemic with a restricted range. The survival of the species is bound to its habitat, the laurel forest, which is still threatened although a part is legally protected. The main threats for laurel forests on the Canary Islands are tourist resorts and illegal building destroying part of the habitats, especially alongside roads or near settlements. Fires are another significant threat. Accidentally and intentionally set for livestock grazing, crop planting, timber and real estate speculation are also impacting the laurel forest.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species occurs in a number of protected areas across its range. Since it has a restricted global range, its distribution and trend should be monitored closely, for example by a Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.

Conservation Actions:

This species occurs in a number of protected areas across its range. Since it has a restricted global range, its distribution and trend should be monitored closely, for example by a Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.

Citation:	van Swaay, C., Wynhoff, I., Verovnik, R., Wiemers, M., López Munguira, M., Maes, D., Sasic, M., Verstrael, T., Warren, M. & Settele, J. 2010. Gonepteryx cleobule. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 May 2013.
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