Range dynamics of noctuid moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae, Euteliidae, Nolidae, Noctuidae) in north-western Poland

This monograph summarizes current knowledge and the results of a long-term study of noctuid moths (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea: Erebidae, Euteliidae, Nolidae, Noctuidae) in north-western Poland. Fieldwork carried out between 2005-2020 yielded research material in the form of 340 species (67% of the overall noctuid moth fauna of Poland). If we include all the other species recorded in this region since the inception of lepidopterological studies there, we reach a grand total of 376 species (74%) of noctuid moths from the families Erebidae, Euteliidae, Nolidae and Noctuidae. Seventy of these species are faunistically valuable both in Poland and Europe as a whole. They are rare or very local in Poland, usually stenotopes, often on the verge of extinction in Poland and central Europe. They include the following: Catocala pacta, Catephia alchymista, Polychrysia moneta, Lamprotes c-aureum, Autographa mandarina, Syngrapha interrogationis, Acronicta menyanthidis, Cucullia lactucae, Cucullia campanulae, Shargacucullia lanceolata, Xylocampa areola, Heliothis ononis, Bryophila ereptricula, Bryophila raptricula, Mormo maura, Lithophane semibrunnea, Lithophane lamda, Dichonia convergens, Dryobotodes eremita, Polymixis polymita, Polymixis flavicincta, Apamea oblonga, Pabulatrix pabulatricula, Eremobia ochroleuca, Archanara neurica, Protarchanara brevilinea, Photedes extrema, Coenobia rufa, Coranarta cordigera, Hadena albimacula, Hadena filigrana, Mythimna litoralis, Diarsia dahlii, Paradiarsia punicea, Eugnorisma glareosa, Xestia agathina, Coenophila subrosea and Agrotis ripae. The Noctuoidea in north-western Poland are subject to changes characteristic of natural ecosystems. Some of these changes are regressive in that 36 species with historical localities in this region were not found again during the present study. They include: Catocala pacta, Catephia alchymista, Eutelia adulatrix, Polychrysia moneta, Lamprotes c-aureum, Plusidia cheiranthi, Autographa mandarina, Bryophila ereptricula, Mormo maura, Lithophane semibrunnea, L. lamda, L. consocia, Polymixis polymita, P. flavicincta, Pabulatrix abulatricula, Coranarta cordigera, Lacanobia aliena, Mythimna litoralis and Paradiarsia punicea. In contrast, certain progressive changes have become apparent during the last 100 years. This is because some species have expanded their ranges. Eighteen such species were found for the first time in this region, namely, Nycteola asiatica, Diachrysia stenochrysis, Autographa buraetica, Abrostola sclepiadis, Eucarta virgo, Helicoverpa armigera, Cryphia fraudatricula, Atethmia centrago, Aporophyla nigra, Dichonia convergens, Apamea syriaca, Archanara neurica, Protarchanara brevilinea, Coenobia rufa, Noctua interposita, Xestia agathina, Euxoa vitta and Agrotis puta.