First records of Sphingidae, Saturniidae, and Arctiinae (Lepidoptera) in the forests of Polylepis sericea in the Huascarán National Park, Ancash, Peru

A groundbreaking inventory of nocturnal Lepidoptera taxa (Sphingidae, Saturniidae, and Arctiinae) in the Polylepis forests of Huascarán National Park, Peru, reveals seven previously unrecorded species and 155 individuals. This study marks the first documentation of these taxa in the park, with three species also representing new records for the Ancash region and one for Peru. Conducted using mixed light traps over four months (November 2015 to August 2016), the findings underscore the ecological significance of Polylepis forests as a unique Andean biome threatened by climate change and anthropogenic pressures. The discovery highlights critical gaps in our understanding of high-altitude biodiversity, providing essential data for conservation strategies and policy-making.

Ancajima, G. P., & Grados, J. (2022). First records of Sphingidae, Saturniidae, and Arctiinae (Lepidoptera) in the forests of Polylepis sericea in the Huascarán National Park, Ancash, Peru. Entomological Communications, 4, ec04019. https://doi.org/10.37486/2675-1305.ec04019