The reference genome of Erebia palarica (Chapman’s ringlet; Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) provides valuable insights into evolutionary and conservation genomics. On one hand, it paves the way to unravel the speciation processes, reproductive barriers, and potential hybridisation between E. palarica and its closely related sister species, Erebia meolans. On the other hand, this genomic resource will be key for the genetic monitoring of this narrowly endemic species, restricted to the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain), facilitating the use of genomic data to estimate population genetic parameters. The genome of a female individual was assembled into 13 phased contiguous autosomes, two sex chromosomes (W and Z), and one mitochondrial genome. This chromosome-level assembly encompasses 0.51 Gb and has no gaps, making this a telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assembly. The assembly is composed of 15 contigs with an N50 value of 36.4 Mb.

Global changes are leading to widespread species redistribution. Comprehensive assessments of range shift dynamics and their drivers are difficult, partly due to the variation in range shift detection over space and taxa. Here we compile documented range shift records for 1,758 butterfly species from 105 countries and territories, representing ~10% of the known diversity of these insects. Most species (80%) experienced range expansions, and most range shifts (79%) were associated with climate change and extreme weather events. A substantial proportion of species in our dataset contracted their ranges (27%) or shifted along elevational gradients (22%). We report widespread horizontal range expansions and contractions across tropical countries, with less evidence for elevational range shifts. We show that a clearer picture of range shift dynamics emerged only through the combination of different types of data, with expert assessments and non-English studies alleviating potential biases. Our findings of climate-driven range shifts call for concerted efforts to improve inclusive data monitoring and conservation efforts, especially for tropical countries, where human-induced land-use changes exert additional critical pressure.

Accurate species delimitation and identification are crucial for assessing biodiversity and conserving species. The Diachrysia cryptic moth complex, comprising D. chrysitis and D. stenochrysis, exhibits overlapping morphological traits, complicating species identification and rendering their status as distinct species debatable. We applied a target enrichment approach leveraging 1753 nuclear single-copy orthologs to clarify their relationships and test the power of this method in addressing complex taxonomic questions. Phylogenetic and population structure analyses revealed clear nuclear differentiation between the two taxa, contrasting with the variability in wing pattern observed within each species. We also detected rare cases where the mitochondrial DNA barcode region (COI) is shared between the species. This discordance between genetic and morphological variation suggests that wing pattern alone is often unreliable for species diagnosis. Our study advances understanding of the evolutionary and speciation history of Diachrysia and provides an efficient genomic model for addressing complex taxonomic questions of recently diverged sibling taxa.

This report marks the 52nd consecutive annual overview of remarkable records of Macrolepidoptera in Sweden, incorporating a compilation of new national and provincial records. Most data were obtained from the Swedish Species Observation System (https://www.artportalen.se). In 2024, three “Macrolepidoptera” species new to the Swedish fauna were documented: Luffia lapidella, Catephia alchymista and Acontia candefacta. Most of the time from the last days of August until the beginning of November, there was an almost continuous inflow of warm air masses from the southeastern and southern directions. Primarily over southernmost Sweden, but occasionally all the way up to the Arctic Circle. This produced an unprecedented influx of Lepidopteran migrants into the county as well as neighbouring countries. Migrant species that were very rare a few decades ago, such as Agrius convolvuli, Macroglossum stellatarum, Helicoverpa armigera, Nycteola asiatica and Orthonama obstipata, are now annual visitors in the changing climate. Additionally, a surprisingly high number of still very rare migrants on our northern latitudes were observed such as Hyles euphorbiae H. livornica, Rhodometra sacraria, Herminia tarsicrinalis, Eublemma purpurina, Trichoplusia ni, Spodoptera exigua, Lacanobia splendens, Xylomoiagraminea, Mythimna vitellina, Agrotis bigramma and Euxoa ochrogaster. Two particularly interesting finds of resident species were also made. Eupithecia expallidata was observed close to where it was initially found in SW Sweden, but also very surprisingly in northern Sweden, indicating that this clandestine species might live in many more sites within the country. Conisania leineri was reported for the first time in Sweden since 2014, showing the species still, but barely hangs on to the coastline of the extreme SE corner of Sweden. Many species continued to expand northwards or inland, likely in response to climate change, for example Apterona helicoidella, Argynnis paphia, Eilema griseolum, Mythimna albipuncta and Anorthoa munda. Conversely, several species showed evidence of contraction or severe local declines, including Malacodea regelaria, Gagitodes sagittata, Eilema cereola and Photedes captiuncula , associated with habitat loss due to overgrowth and intensified forestry. A few rare taiga–related moths, such as Xestia distensa and Xestia atrata, also continued to exhibit highly localised distributions with only scattered records. The total number of Macrolepidoptera now recorded in Sweden stands at 1136 of which 16 are introduced.

This report marks the 51st consecutive annual overview of remarkable records of Macrolepidoptera in Sweden, incorporating a compilation of new provincial records. Most of these records were obtained from personal reports and the Swedish Species Observation System (https://www.artportalen.se). In 2023, 101 new provincial records were registered, including two species of Macrolepidoptera new to Sweden: Cryphia fraudatricula and Caradrina gilva. Noteworthy, rare migrants observed in 2023 include Orthonama obstipata, Xylomoia graminea, Amphipyra livida, Catocala electa, Aedia funesta, Agrotis bigramma, Acherontia atropos and Mythimna vitellina. In response to land use and climate changes, numerous species continue colonising new provinces, expanding their ranges primarily northwards and inland within Sweden. Examples of such species include Apatura iris, Cosmia affinis, Noctua interposita, Cryphia algae, Caradrina kadenii, Hoplodrina ambigua, Mythimna albipuncta, Anorthoa munda and Conisania luteago. Conversely, many species, such as Photedes captiuncula and Athetis pallustris, are experiencing range contractions due to intensified land use and habitat destruction. The report also highlights the absence of observations of the critically endangered butterflies Melitaea britomartis, Plebejusargyrognomon, and the endangered Boloria polaris, raising concerns that these species may now be extinct in Sweden. Additionally, several species associated with taiga forests, such as Baptria tibiale, Victrix umovii, and Xestia collina, are reported to have very few localities, with correspondingly scarce records. The total number of Macrolepidoptera recorded in Sweden has reached 1 134, of which 16 are introduced species.

Climate change is an important driver of range shifts and community composition changes. Still, little is known about how the responses are influenced by the combination of land use, species interactions and species traits. We integrate climate and distributional data for 131 butterfly species in Sweden and Finland and show that cumulative species richness has increased with increasing temperature over the past 120 years. Average provincial species richness increased by 64% (range 15–229%), from 46 to 70. The rate and direction of range expansions have not matched the temperature changes, in part because colonisations have been modified by other climatic variables, land use and vary according to species characteristics representing ecological generalisation and species interactions. Results emphasise the role of a broad ecological filtering, whereby a mismatch between environmental conditions and species preferences limit the ability to disperse and establish populations in emerging climates and novel areas, with potentially widespread implications for ecosystem functioning.

This is the 49th consecutive annual report of new and interesting finds of Macrolepidopterain Sweden including a compilation of new provincial records, most of the new records are retrieved from the Swedish Species Observation System https://www.artportalen.se. The trend with warmer climate and thus longer vegetation periods continues to have a strong impact on faunal changes and the distribution of the Swedish Lepidopteran fauna. New species, mainly from south and east find their way almost yearly to our country. In 2021 three new species were observed for the first time in Sweden: Amata phegea, Mormo maura and Xylomoia graminea. The trend with expansion mainly northwards and inlands is still strong among species like: Zygaena minos, Pararge aegeria, Apatura ilia, Araschnia levana, Idaea ochrata, Mesoleuca albicillata, Hydrelia sylvata, Melanthia procellata, Eupithecia abbreviata, Cucullia scrophulariae, Cryphia algae, Hoplodrina ambigua, Atethmia centrago, Conisania luteago, Noctua interposita, Epilecta linogrisea, Meganola albula but also among many other species. A new and remarkable feature in the new climatic conditions is that species like Pararge aegeria, Watsonalla binaria and many others can produce full or partial second or even third generations in their just recently reached northernmost range limits. An impressive number of migrants found their way to Sweden, mostly from August to October. Among the more noteworthy are: Argynnis laodice, Acherontia atropos, Scopulani gropunctata, Orthonama obstipata, Horisme corticata, Narraga fasciolaria, Isturgia arenacearia, Rhyparia purpurata, Catocala elocata, Catocala electa, Chrysodeixis chalcites, Heliothis adaucta, Helicoverpa armigera, Caradrina kadenii, Mythimna vitellina, Peridromasaucium, Agrotis bigramma, Xestia ditrapezium, Nycteola asiatica. In northernmost Sweden Gazoryctra ganna was found for the third successive year, showing that the moth is resident in Sweden and presumably has been so during all the year it was not found. Also, one new, small population of Lycaena helle was found indicating that the species still lingers on 3-4 localities in Northernmost Sweden. In Skåne in southernmost Sweden the moths Lithostege farinata, Hadena filograna have been observed again after many years absence. They have been considered as nationally respectively regionally extinct, but hopefully new influx or some concealed unknown population may rescue the species survival in Skåne again. The number of macrolepidoptera found in Sweden is now 1130, of which 16 are introduced.

Ecosystem engineers affect other organisms by creating, maintaining or modifying habitats, potentially supporting species of conservation concern. However, it is important to consider these interactions alongside non-engineering trophic pathways. We investigated the relative importance of trophic and non-trophic effects of an ecosystem engineer, red deer, on a locally rare moth, the transparent burnet (Zygaena purpuralis). This species requires specific microhabitat conditions, including the foodplant, thyme, and bare soil for egg-laying. The relative importance of grazing (i.e., trophic effect of modifying microhabitat) and trampling (i.e., non-trophic effect of exposing bare soil) by red deer on transparent burnet abundance is unknown. We tested for these effects using a novel method of placing pheromone-baited funnel traps in the field. Imago abundance throughout the flight season was related to plant composition, diversity and structure at various scales around each trap. Indirect effects of red deer activity were accounted for by testing red deer pellet and trail presence against imago abundance. Imago abundance was positively associated with thyme and plant diversity, whilst negatively associated with velvet grass and heather species cover. The presence of red deer pellets and trails were positively associated with imago abundance. The use of these sites by red deer aids the transparent burnet population via appropriate levels of grazing and the provision of a key habitat condition, bare soil, in the form of deer trails. This study shows that understanding how both trophic and non-trophic interactions affect the abundance of a species provides valuable insights regarding conservation objectives.

We examined the distribution of sesiid species in the triangle Upper-, Lower Austria and the Czech Republic between 2015 and 2020, and registered the occurrence of 19 species. So far, only four species have been known on the Austrian side of the mountains. We discovered ten other species in this area,and a total of 14 species are now known on the Austrian side. Ten species were previously known on the Czech side of the mountains, and we newly registered eight more. Because Synanthedon andrenaeformis (Laspeyres 1801) is among the 14 known species in Austria, but it is not yet found on the Czech side of the border, we have recorded a total of 19 species in the study area.

Wir haben im Dreieck Ober-, Niederösterreich und Tschechien in den Jahren 2015 bis 2020 dieVerbreitung der Sesiidae untersucht undinsgesamt 19 Arten festgestellt. Bisherwaren auf der österreichischen Seite desGebirges nur vier Arten bekannt. Beiunseren Untersuchungen haben wirzehn weitere entdeckt. Insgesamt sindjetzt auf österreichischer Seite 14 Artenbekannt. Auf der tschechischen Seite desGebirges waren bisher zehn (Špatenka2015) bekannt, jetzt kamen noch achtweitere dazu. Unter den in Österreich14 bekannten Arten war auch Synanthedon andrenaeformis (Laspeyres 1801),welche bisher auf der tschechischenSeite des untersuchten Gebietes nichtbekannt war, damit erhöht sich im untersuchten Gebiet die Zahl auf 19 nachgewiesene Spezies.