Long-term changes in communities of Noctuidae, Pantheidae and Nolidae (Lepidoptera) of Warsaw city centre

Abstract

In the centre of Warsaw 209 species of noctuid moths (Noctuidae, Pantheidaeand Nolidae) were recorded, accounting for about 69% of all species ever found in this agglomeration. Only 15 species were classified as very abundant or abundant while as many as 174 were few and single. The following species were the most abundant: Xestia c-nigrum, Autographa gamma, Discestra trifolii, Mythimnapallens, M. l-album, Agrotis exclamationis, A. segetum, Hoplodrina ambigua and Luperina testacea. These species occurred abundant-ly everywhere. They are chiefly associated with open-area habitats (including anthropogenic ones). Noctuid communities in the centre of Warsaw have changed considerably over the last 50 years. The most abundant species have remained a constant element but rare (few and single) species have begun to disappear from the city centre, probably as a result of unfavourable environmental changes due to intensive urbanization of this area.