Espécies de borboletas (Lepidoptera) em um fragmento florestal de Alter do Chão, Pará, Brasil

Abstract

The order Lepidoptera, represented by butterflies and moths, is the third richest order of species in the world. It is one of the few insects appreciated by man, especially butterflies for their vibrant colors. This study aims to inventory the butterfly species of the Escola da Floresta, a forest fragment in Alter do Chão, Santarém-Pará. Collections were carried out biweekly from July 2023 to April 2024. For this purpose, entomological nets (puçás) were used and four trails distributed in the study area were followed in the morning. The process of recording the species, in addition to collections and photographs, involved consulting specialized literature and the websites Butterflies of America and Catalog of Taxonomy of the Fauna of Brazil. In total, 35 species were recorded, distributed in four families. Nymphalidae was the most representative family in number of individuals (68%). Here we make the first records of Eurybia elvina Stichel for the state of Pará and Autochton longipennis Plötz for the municipality of Santarém. These results are important because they expand knowledge of biodiversity in the western region of Pará and contribute to the installation of a butterfly house at the Escola da Floresta, which will welcome the population of Santarém, promoting environmental awareness.