First comprehensive contribution to the knowledge of the lepidopteran fauna of Gioia Tauro Plain, South Italy (Lepidoptera)

Abstract

In this paper, we investigated for the first time on the composition of nocturnal Lepidoptera of the Gioia Tauro Plain, Calabria region (South Italy). The main goal was to acquire information on the biodiversity of this insect order in an area little investigated and subject to strong anthropic pressures. The study was carried out for one year in 4 sites characterized by different habitats. Sampling was carried out about twice a month through the use of UV-LED light traps. In total, 791 specimens belonging to 97 species were collected. The species richness of the study area was rather low compared to a more natural habitat sampled near to the study area in previous years. However, we found species very interesting from a faunistic point of view. In detail, Morophaga morella (Duponchel, 1838) is a new record for the continental Italy. 15 species are new for the fauna of the Calabria region: Ornativalva tamaricella (Zeller, 1850), Cnephasia (Cnephasia) genitalana Pierce & Metcalfe, 1915, Euzophera lunulella (O. Costa, 1836), Hellula undalis (Fabricius, 1794), Raphimetopus ablutella (Zeller, 1839) Achyra nudalis (Hübner, 1796), Dioryctria mendacella (Staudinger, 1859), Ematheudes punctella (Treitschke, 1833), Endotricha flammealis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Oxybia transversella (Duponchel, 1836), Lamoria anella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Anania crocealis (Hübner, 1796), Evergestis isatidalis (Duponchel, 1833), Udea ferrugalis (Hübner, 1796), and Uresiphita gilvata (Fabricius, 1794).