RIQUEZA E COMPOSIÇÃO DE MARIPOSAS SPHINGIDAE E SATURNIIDAE (LEPIDOPTERA) EM ÁREA ANTROPIZADA NO CERRADO

Abstract

Moths of the families Sphingidae and Saturniidae are recognized as important bioindicators of environmental quality, showing rapid responses to habitat changes, especially in areas affected by human activity. In the Cerrado, where advancing deforestation and fragmentation have caused significant biodiversity losses, studies on the composition and richness of these groups remain scarce. This study aimed to assess the richness, abundance, and composition of nocturnal moths in a disturbed area of Fazenda Santa Clara, in the municipality of Iaciara, Goiás. Sampling was conducted monthly between December 2024 and November 2025 using a light trap and manual collection, resulting in 139 recorded individuals, of which 87 were identified. Sphingids showed low abundance, occurring in only a few months of the year, whereas saturniids exhibited strong seasonality, with a marked emergence peak in November. The data indicate that human disturbance negatively influences the diversity and occurrence of these lepidopterans, mainly through the reduction of floral resources, host plants, and suitable microhabitats. The results of this study highlight the importance of faunistic research in the Cerrado and contribute to understanding local ecological dynamics, potentially supporting future conservation efforts and environmental monitoring in the region.