Jan Meerman

Invertebrates are rarely sampled during Rapid Ecological Assessments. If any it is the Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) that are most commonly - and easiest – incorporated in a study such as this. Although certain Lepidoptera families in Belize are rather well sampled (Meerman, 1999), the wet, higher altitude regions of southern Belize are among the poorest researched habitats of Belize.

Certain Lepidoptera families have to be considered important ecological and biodiversity indicators. Their herbivorous immature stages create a clear link with the flora of the study area and generally, diverse Lepidoptera fauna’s are indicative of a diverse and complex flora.

Data on nocturnal Lepidoptera during the August 2004 expedition to Doyle’s Delight were collected by means of one 15 W. UV fluorescent tube powered by a car battery (which was maintained in a charged condition by means of a small 1 amp solar panel).

During the August 2007 expedition, UV lights were powered by a small handheld generator. In general no collections were made. In stead, specimens were documented by means of digital pictures.

In total 16 species of Saturniidae and 34 species of Sphingidae were recorded (table below), of these 50 species, no less than 8 (16%) were new records for Belize! Two Hawkmoths; Adhemarius dariensis, Adhemarius donysa, Xylophanes germen and Xylophanes zurcheri and three Emperor Moth; Automeris postalbida, Hylesia cf. ileana and what probably was a Hyperchira sp. Interesting too, was that Xylophanes germen was the most common species around. These observations demonstrate how little is still know about the higher elevation habitats in Belize and how many new records are potentially still waiting to be discovered.

Species in red: species new to Belize since the publication of Meerman, J. C. 1999. Lepidoptera of Belize. 2 emperor moths and hawkmoths. Tropical Lepidoptera, Vol 10, supplement 1.

Automeris postalbida	Hyperchira nausica
Adhemarius dariensis	Adhemarius donysa
Xylophanes germen	Xylophanes zurcheri

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