A moth inventory study carried out in the municipality of Loulé has revealed 11 species that are new to Portugal’s fauna, highlighting the Algarve region’s importance for biodiversity research. Promoted by the Municipality of Loulé and conducted by the Vita Nativa Association, the project is part of the municipality’s strategy to promote and disseminate scientific knowledge of its territory, with a particular focus on its protected areas.
The research brings together the results of two years of field sampling conducted in 2024 and 2025, leading to the publication of a scientific paper. Taking into account both the newly recorded species and existing bibliographic records, a total of 926 moth species have now been documented in the municipality of Loulé, representing more than one-third of all moth species known from mainland Portugal. The newly recorded species were found in Trafal, Ameixial, Fonte da Benémola, Lagoa da Nave, Rocha da Pena, Ancão, Vale Telheiro, Cerro de Cabeça de Câmara and Ludo.
The scientific paper has been published in the Bulletin of the Spanish Entomological Association, making a significant contribution to the understanding of Portugal’s biodiversity while reinforcing the municipality of Loulé’s role in scientific research and nature conservation.
The publication is available at: https://www.entomologica.es/publicaciones-suplementos/art2151.