Species conservation profile of moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera) from Azores, Portugal

By

Borges, Paulo
Pérez Santa-Rita, José
Nunes, Rui
Danielczak, Anja
Hochkirch, Axel
Amorim, Isabel
Lamelas-Lopez, Lucas
Karsholt, Ole
Vieira, Virgílio

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2018-04-19

Original Publication

Biodiversity data journal

Volume

6

Pages

1--201

Subjects

Azores , invasive species , Islands , IUCN , Lepidoptera , Moths , Portugal , rarity. , species conservation profiles

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft Publishers [2013]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.6.e23311
eLocator: e23311

 

Abstract

The few remnants of Azorean native forests harbour a unique set of endemic moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera), some of them under severe long term threats due to small sized habitats or climatic changes. In this contribution, we present the IUCN Red List profiles of 34 endemic moths to the Azorean archipelago, including species belonging to two diverse families: Noctuidae (11 species) and Crambidae (eight species). The objective of this paper is to assess all endemic Azorean moth species and advise on possible future research and conservation actions critical for the long-trem survival of the most endangered species.<br> Most species have a large distribution (i.e. 58% occur in at least four islands), very large extent of occurrence (EOO) and a relatively large area of occupancy (AOO). Only nine species are single-island endemics, three of them from Flores, three from São Miguel and one from Pico, São Jorge and Faial. Most of the species also experience continuing decline in habitat quality, number of locations and subpopulations caused by the ongoing threat from pasture intensification, forestry, invasive plant species and future climatic changes. The lack of new records may indicate that one of the species previously named is extinct (Eupitheciaogilviata). Therefore, we suggest as future conservation actions: (1) a long-term species monitoring plan and (2) control of invasive species.