Intressanta fynd av storfjärilar (Macrolepidoptera) i Sverige 2024

Abstract

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, Xylomoia graminea, 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.