DIVERSITY OF DIURNAL BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA: PAPILIONOIDEA) AND LEAF BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CHIȘINĂU

Cristina ȚUGULEA,Livia CALESTRU,Universitatea de Stat din Moldova

Abstract

The paper includes data on the diversity of diurnal butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) and leaf beetles (Co- leoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the municipality of Chișinău. The species were collected during the years 1996–2025 in various urban habitats. As a result of the research conducted in urban environments, 65 insect species belonging to the orders Lepidoptera and Coleoptera were identified, classified into seven families: Papilionidae (3 species), Lycaenidae (9), Nymphalidae (16), Pieridae (8), Hesperiidae (4), Riodinidae (1) and Chrysomelidae (24). In the ur- ban ecosystems of Chișinău, six rare and protected butterfly species were recorded: Hamearis lucina, Lycaena dispar, Neptis sappho, Papilio machaon, Nymphalis antiopa, and Zerynthia polyxena. The leaf beetle species Xanthogaleru- ca luteola and Lilioceris lilii cause damage to host plants when their populations reach critical levels of infestation. The study of insects in urban environments provides valuable information on the state of local biodiversity and the effects of human activities on urban ecosystems, and further research is essential to assess the long-term impact of urbanization on insects. Keywords: Chișinău, species, diurnal butterflies, coleopteran insects, rare species, protected species, pest species.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59295/sum1(191)2026_17