Diversity of the moth fauna (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) of a wetland forest: A case study from Motovun forest, Istria, Croatia

Background and Purpose: The Motovun forest located in the Mirna river valley, central Istria, Croatia is one of the last lowland floodplain forests remaining in the Mediterranean area. Materials and Methods: Between 2011 and 2014 lepidopterological research was carried out on 14 sampling sites in the area of Motovun forest. The moth fauna was surveyed using standard light traps tents. Results and Conclusions: Altogether 403 moth species were recorded in the area, of which 65 can be considered at least partially hygrophilous. These results list the Motovun forest as one of the best surveyed regions in Croatia in respect of the moth fauna. The current study is the first of its kind for the area and an important contribution to the knowledge of moth fauna of the Istria region, and also for Croatia in general