SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE OF PIERIDAE (RHOPALOCERA, LEPIDOPTERA) IN ENTOMOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS IN 2021–2023

Abstract

Species of Lepidoptera are specific indicators of the state of biotic communities and ecosystems, playing a crucial role in the functioning of phytocenoses and holding significant scientific, cognitive, and aesthetic value. Diurnal butterflies are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic influences and belong to one of the animal groups that is in danger of extinction.
The article presents original data on the current status of the Pieridae family based on the analysis of collection materials gathered during April-October 2021–2023 in the Zakarpattia, Lviv, Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Species identification was conducted under laboratory conditions according to scientific requirements. The list of species of this family was formed from taxa according to Nieukerken et al. (2011). Entomological collection of Lepidoptera was conducted in accordance with nature conservation legislation norms.
It was established that in 2021, 8 species were identified (168 individuals), in 2022 – 5 species (71 individuals), and in 2023 – 6 species (84 individuals). The studied insects belong to 6 genera: Leptidea, Anthocharis, Pieris, Pontia, Colias, Gonepteryx.
Based on the analysis of relative abundance, it was determined that Pieris rapae was the most abundant species throughout the studied years, while Pieris brassicae, Pieris napi, Colias hyale, and Gonepteryx rhamni were common species, and Leptidea sinapis, Anthocharis cardamines, Pontia daplidice, and Colias croceus were rare. For a detailed study of the Pieridae family and conducting comprehensive ecological-faunistic insect identification, we plan to conduct annual entomological surveys of fauna of Ukraine. These data can be used for the further analysis of the changes of species diversity of this family taking into account biodiversity conservation.