RESULTS OF FIREFLY MOTHS FAUNA (LEPIDOPTERA, PYRALOIDEA) RESEARCH IN THE NATURAL RESERVE «MYKHAILIVSKA TSILYNA» IN 2022

Abstract

Until 2002, studies of the nocturnal Lepidoptera fauna in the Nature Reserve «Mykhailivska Tsilyna» were fragmentary and the species composition of certain butterflies groups has not yet been studied. In addition to the bombicoid complex butterflies only the fauna of Pyraloidea superfamily has been studied in detail in the territory of the Reserve. So far, various publications contain information about 112 species of this superfamily butterflies from the territory of the Reserve. In total, 55 species of firefly moths from 2 families and 8 subfamilies were identified in the Reserve territory in 2022. For the first time for Sumy region, 2 species of firefly moths were registered (Clasperopsis fumella (Eversmann, 1844) and Acrobasis sodalella Zeller, 1848) which were previously registered only in the south of Ukraine. The fauna of firefly moths in the territory of the Reserve has been studied quite completely. For now it is one of the most complete lists in the northeastern Ukraine. In order to analyze the influence of the types of plant communities on the fauna, the lists of firewood species found in the territory of the reserve were compared with those in other well-studied areas of the Sumy region. The data obtained indicate a small share of steppe component in the fauna of the firefly moths of the «Mykhailivska Tsilyna» Reserve. Despite the obvious «forest» features of the firefly moths fauna, the Reserve remains a place where their diversity is observed. The work planned in the Reserve's territory management project to reduce tree growth is likely to reduce biodiversity in this area. At the same time, further overgrowth of the steppe will reduce the number of butterfly species whose development is associated with steppe vegetation. In our opinion, it is necessary to prevent and/or stop further afforestation of the protected area. It is also possible to contribute to the preservation of diversity, for example, by periodically mowing the steppe areas that are still preserved; moderating livestock grazing; reintroducing to the territory of the wild population of large ungulates with the creation of conditions for their living, etc.