Faunistic Analysis of Erebid Moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) of the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan

Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (AJMDR) Vol. 2 Issue 8, November 2025 www.ajmdr.com IF: 9.2 95 UDC: 595.78(575.2) Faunistic Analysis of Erebid Moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) of the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan Masodikova M.A., researcher of Fergana state universitety Zokirova G.M., PhD, associate professor of Fergana state universitety Yoqubov A.U., PhD, senior teacher of Fergana state universitety Zokirov I.I., DSc, professor of Fergana state universitety Abstract This article presents the faunistic composition, quantitative structure, and applied significance of moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) under Fergana Valley conditions. During 2021–2025, specimens were collected in Fergana, Andijan, and Namangan provinces using light attraction at night (DRL 200/150) and daytime hand-netting; morphological identification, trophic observations, and calculations based on Simpson indices were performed. In total, 21 species representing 17 genera were recorded. Of these, Erebinae accounted for 67%, Arctiinae for 20%, Lymantriinae for 10.4%, and Boletobiinae for 2%; superdominant species were Dysgonia algira (20.4%), Tyta luctuosa (13.6%), and Grammodes stolida (10.1%). Simpson indices were C ≈ 0.093 and D ≈ 0.907, indicating high population diversity and low dominance. The samples are consistent with the Fergana Valley’s isolated landscape with a sharply continental climate. Keywords: Fergana Valley; Erebidae; Erebinae; faunistic analysis; Dysgonia algira; Tyta luctuosa; Grammodes stolida; Simpson index. Introduction Erebidae is one of the largest families of noctuoid moths (Noctuoidea), comprising approximately 24,000 species. Its composition includes the subfamilies Arctiinae (tiger moths), Lymantriinae (tussock moths), Herminiinae, Calpinae, and others. Erebidae are distributed on all continents except Antarctica, and some species are known as defoliator pests in agriculture and forestry. Over the past two decades, the system has been revised based on molecular phylogeny, whereby the former families Arctiidae and Lymantriidae have been incorporated into Erebidae with subfamily rank. The modern classification recognizes 18 subfamilies. These updates were reported by Zahiri et al. (2012), Ghanavi et al. (2022), Lafontaine & Schmidt (2010, 2013), as well as historical reviews for Erebinae (Homziak et al., 2016; Salem et al., 2021). The Fergana Valley is an “isolate” surrounded by mountains on three sides and characterized by a sharply continental climate; owing to its microclimates and landscape mosaic it harbors high endemism and species richness. In recent years, the scope of studies interpreting the valley’s biodiversity as a distinct “island” has expanded (Nazarov et al., 2023). In Uzbekistan, information on noctuoid moths has been accumulated since the first descriptions of the 19th century. In the 20th century, many works documented Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (AJMDR) Vol. 2 Issue 8, November 2025 www.ajmdr.com IF: 9.2 96 Erebidae across desert and oasis ecosystems. In the Fergana Valley, data exist on Lepidoptera composition and agroecosystems in the studies of I. Zokirov and M. Shermatov (e.g., Shermatov, 2024; Zokirov, 2019). However, a comprehensive inventory of the family Erebidae, its seasonal-faunistic dynamics, and the structure by taxonomic units remain insufficiently elucidated (Zokirova et al., 2023). Accordingly, based on Erebidae samples collected in the Fergana Valley, we analyzed species and genus composition, subfamily-level quantitative shares, and the dominant–subdominant structure, and evaluated the region’s erebid fauna. Materials and Methods During 2021–2025, fieldwork was conducted across urban parks and boulevards, natural landscapes, and agroecosystems of the Fergana, Andijan, and Namangan provinces. Samples were collected from March–December, primarily by light attraction at night (DRL-200/150 lamps) and by daytime hand-netting. The collected material comprised 1200+ Noctuoidea in total, of which nearly 500 individuals belonged to Erebidae. Specimens and collections were identified based on morphological characters, following Golub et al. (2012), Shapovalov (2021), and Zokirov & Zokirova (2024), and using identification keys, atlases, and GBIF/iNaturalist data. Where necessary, larvae, eggs, and pupae were maintained in the laboratory; trophic specialization was assessed using monophagous– oligophagous–polyphagous criteria, and Levins’ B and Hurlbert’s PIE indices were calculated. Phenological data were obtained from field observations and climate sources. Altitudinal distribution was analyzed using GIS, and diversity was assessed using Simpson (C, D), Zhivotovsky (µ ± Sµ), and the share of low-abundance species (h); statistical analyses were performed using standard methods (Gmurman, 2003; Lakin, 1990; Simpson, 1949). Results and Discussion Approximately 500 specimens of erebid moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) recorded in the Fergana Valley were analyzed for quantitative abundance at the levels of subfamily and genus using mathematical–statistical methods. Accordingly, the quantitative distribution of the noctuoid moth fauna across subfamilies was determined as follows. As a result of the empirical surveys, 102 individuals belonging to 5 species of the subfamily Arctiinae were identified. According to the analysis, within this subfamily Phragmatobia fuliginosa was the most frequently recorded species, with a share of 43.1%. The remaining species (Arctia caja, Eucharia festiva, Utetheisa pulchella, and Spilosoma urticae) each had subfamily shares above 10%, while Arctiinae as a whole accounted for more than 20% of the overall fauna (by individuals). The subfamily Boletobiinae is species-poor compared with the other subfamilies. Two species were recorded—Eublemma ostrina and Eublemma purpurina. Although their relative shares within the subfamily were 90% and 10%, respectively, Boletobiinae contributed only a very small fraction (2%) to the overall fauna. Like Boletobiinae, the subfamily Lymantriinae is also species-poor. Three Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (AJMDR) Vol. 2 Issue 8, November 2025 www.ajmdr.com IF: 9.2 97 species were identified in the region: Euproctis chrysorrhoea (40.4%), Euproctis kargalika (21.2%), and Lymantria dispar (38.4%). Although the number of species in Lymantriinae is low, its overall share in the fauna is higher than that of Boletobiinae, reaching 10.4%. Among erebid moths, the richest subfamily in terms of species diversity and number of individuals is Erebinae. This subfamily encompasses 334 individuals representing 11 species, corresponding to 67% of the overall fauna. Within Erebinae, Dysgonia algira was the most frequently recorded species (102 individuals), accounting for 30.5% of the subfamily fauna. Tyta luctuosa (20.4%) and Grammodes stolida (15%) ranked next by quantitative share. The remaining species each accounted for approximately 2–10% within the subfamily (Figure 1). The 21 erebid species recorded in the fauna were allocated among 17 genera: one genus is tritypic (three species), two are bitypic (two species), and the remaining 14 genera are monotypic. Below, we examine the genus-level structure of the noctuoid moth fauna of the valley (Figure 2). Of the 17 genera, one—Dysgonia—is tritypic; three species were recorded in the study area: D. algira, D. rogenhoferi, and D. torrida. Species of this genus occur in warm and arid habitats, and their leaf-feeding larvae damage certain fruit and ornamental trees. Although Dysgonia has relatively high species diversity (three species), species of this genus do not constitute a large share of the fauna (25.6%). Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (AJMDR) Vol. 2 Issue 8, November 2025 www.ajmdr.com IF: 9.2 98 Figure 1. Frequency of occurrence by subfamily in the erebid moth fauna. Euproctis and Eublemma are bitypic genera, i.e., each includes two species. The genus Euproctis comprises E. chrysorrhoea and E. kargalika; in the valley, more than 30 individuals of these species were recorded. The overall share of Euproctis in the fauna equals 6.4%, and its representatives are controlled by natural enemies in orchards and forests. However, the eggs and larvae of this genus bear urticating hairs, which reduces mortality at the larval and egg stages. The genus Eublemma includes the small moths E. ostrina and E. purpurina, whose share in the fauna is very low—only 2%. The genus Arctia, like all remaining genera, is monotypic. Species of this genus are usually aposematically colored, and their larvae are polyphagous. The only species of the genus recorded in the valley, Arctia caja, has a 2.4% share in the fauna and is important as a bioindicator. Distributed in semi-desert and forest-steppe habitats, the genera Eucharia, Anumeta, and Autophila each have a share exceeding 2% in the fauna, with more than 10 individuals recorded in the surveys. Some representatives of these genera 11.8 10.8 43.1 16.7 17.6 40.4 21.2 38.4 2.4 5.4 3 3 7.5 30.5 4.2 3.5 5.1 20.4 15 90 10 ARCTIINAE LYMANTRIINAE EREBINAE BOLETOBIINAE Arctia caja Eucharia festiva Phragmatobia fuliginosa Utetheisa pulchella Spilosoma urticae Euproctis chrysorrhoea Euproctis kargalika Lymantria dispar Acantholipes regularis Drasteria caucasica Anumeta fractistrigata Autophila ligaminosa Catocala nupta Dysgonia algira Dysgonia rogenhoferi Dysgonia torrida Pericyma albidentaria Tyta luctuosa Grammodes stolida Eublemma ostrina Eublemma purpurina Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (AJMDR) Vol. 2 Issue 8, November 2025 www.ajmdr.com IF: 9.2 99 hide by sand-colored crypsis. The genera Spilosoma, Drasteria, Pericyma, and Utetheisa each have a share greater than 3% (3.4–3.6%); 17–18 individuals each were recorded in the surveys. Representatives of the genus Spilosoma are a group of whitish moths; the polyphagous larvae of Spilosoma urticae defoliate various grasses and ornamental plants. Drasteria is a regularly active group occurring in desert regions; the larvae of Drasteria caucasica feed on plants in the Chenopodiaceae and Fabaceae. Members of the genus Pericyma are primarily subtropical–tropical elements; their larvae mainly consume acacia (Fabaceae) leaves and are recorded as defoliators. The genus Utetheisa represents a migratory element in Central Asia, and Utetheisa pulchella sequesters alkaloids in its body, providing protection against predators. The shares of the genera Lymantria and Catocala in the fauna are around 4– 5%; the surveys recorded 20 individuals of L. dispar and 25 individuals of Catocala nupta. L. dispar is a regulated quarantine pest that causes large-scale defoliation; however, under valley conditions, due to its low abundance, it was listed as a facultative quarantine species. Catocala nupta is mainly nocturnal and is distinguished by the dark patterns on its hindwings. The genera Phragmatobia, Grammodes, and Tyta have relatively high shares in the fauna, around 8–14%. Phragmatobia fuliginosa is widespread in moist-meadow ecotopes, and its larvae feed on numerous medicinal herbs. According to the study, the least widespread genus is Acantholipes, with a faunistic share of 1.6%. A. regularis is an erebid adapted to desert–steppe floristic conditions; its larvae feed on cotton and ephemeral herbs. Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (AJMDR) Vol. 2 Issue 8, November 2025 www.ajmdr.com IF: 9.2 100 Figure 2. Frequency of occurrence by genus in the erebid moth fauna. In summary, three superdominant species (>10%) were recorded in the Fergana Valley erebid fauna: Dysgonia algira, Tyta luctuosa, and Grammodes stolida. Dysgonia algira had the highest percentage, comprising 20.4% of the fauna; it was documented across nearly all geographic settings and ecological conditions, with more than 100 individuals recorded. Tyta luctuosa and Grammodes stolida each had shares of 10–13%, with more than 50 individuals recorded for each. Among erebid moths, Phragmatobia fuliginosa and Catocala nupta held dominant status (5–10%). P. fuliginosa accounted for 8.8% of the fauna with more than 40 individuals, whereas C. nupta exceeded 20 individuals and comprised 5% of the fauna. Many species recorded in the region had subdominant populations with shares of 2–5%, indicating moderate occurrence. In the Fergana Valley noctuoid fauna, the number of subdominant species was 13: Arctia caja, Eucharia festiva, Utetheisa pulchella, Spilosoma urticae, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Euproctis kargalika, Lymantria dispar, Drasteria caucasica, Anumeta fractistrigata, Autophila ligaminosa, Dysgonia rogenhoferi, Dysgonia torrida, and Pericyma albidentaria. The least-detected populations were Eublemma purpurina, Eublemma ostrina, and Acantholipes regularis, each with a faunistic share below 2%. Specifically, E. purpurina had a share of 0.2%, while E. ostrina and A. regularis accounted for 1.8% and 1.6%, respectively, indicating that these are low-abundance species within the fauna. Conclusion Materials collected in the Fergana Valley during 2021–2025 showed that the 2% 2% 9% 3% 4% 6% 4% 2% 4% 2% 2% 5% 26% 3% 14% 10% 2% Arctia Eucharia Phragmatobia Utetheisa Spilosoma Euproctis Lymantria Acantholipes Drasteria Anumeta Autophila Catocala Dysgonia Pericyma Tyta Grammodes Eublemma Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (AJMDR) Vol. 2 Issue 8, November 2025 www.ajmdr.com IF: 9.2 101 Erebidae fauna comprises 21 species in 17 genera. Erebinae predominated with 67%, followed by Arctiinae (20%), Lymantriinae (10.4%), and Boletobiinae (2%). Superdominants were Dysgonia algira (20.4%), Tyta luctuosa (13.6%), and Grammodes stolida (10.1%); Phragmatobia fuliginosa (8.8%) and Catocala nupta (5.0%) were dominant; 13 species were subdominant; and Eublemma purpurina (0.2%), E. ostrina (1.8%), and Acantholipes regularis (1.6%) formed the low-abundance group. This structure is corroborated by Table 3.3 and the corresponding diagrams. 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