RESULTS OF THE STUDY OF LEPIDOPTERA (INSECTA, LEPIDOPTERA) FAUNA IN THE KUZEMYN SECTION OF THE GETMANSKYI NATIONAL NATURE PARK BASED ON THE 2024 EXPEDITION

Abstract

In June 2024, a three-day scientific expedition was conducted in the Kuzemyn area of the Hetmanskyi National Nature Park, located in the floodplain of Vorskla river. The primary aim of the research was to study the fauna of butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera), focusing on species composition, abundance, ecological preferences and the environmental conditions that influence their distribution in this area. This site represents a valuable natural region characterized by rich biodiversity and a high degree of habitat heterogeneity, which plays a significant role in supporting diverse insect populations. The research employed an integrative approach combining nocturnal collection using light traps (mercury vapor lamps) and manual daytime sampling. This methodology made it possible to record 67 species belonging to 13 families, including Noctuidae, Geometridae, Erebidae, Sphingidae, Pyralidae, and others. The diversity observed reflects the ecological complexity of the floodplain mosaic, which consists of meadows, shrubs, tree stands, and riparian zones.

Some species identified are common to the forest-steppe zone of northeastern Ukraine, while others indicate specific microhabitats or rare environmental niches. Particular attention was paid to anthropogenic impacts such as livestock grazing, agricultural land use, illegal logging, and pollution of aquatic ecosystems. The potential influence of climate change on moth populations was also considered, especially regarding shifts in species activity patterns and phenology. All findings were processed and submitted to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), contributing to the global biodiversity database and enabling long-term biodiversity monitoring programs. The results confirm the ecological and conservation significance of the Kuzemyn sector and underscore the importance of ongoing multiseasonal surveys across different biotopes. The study provides valuable data for developing biodiversity conservation strategies, ecological education initiatives, and sustainable land management policies within the Hetmanskyi National Nature Park.