The Heterocera of Mértola (Alentejo, Portugal) (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

The Alentejo region includes more than a third of the entire Portuguese territory. Nevertheless, it is the least studied area in entomology and specifically in lepidopterology. Likewise, little is known about Mértola’s insect fauna. In this municipality of the south-east of Alentejo, studies are being conducted to fill this knowledge gap. In this work, we present data regarding Heterocera research as a result of fieldwork using light traps in different habitats and different seasons. A total of 438 species were identified, including four new additions to the Portuguese fauna: Symmoca sultan Gozmány, 1962, Eteobalea sumptuosella (Lederer, 1855), Coleophora arefactella Staudinger, 1859 and Idaea deitanaria (Reisser & Weisert, 1977). A compilation of bibliographic records and new data is made. This study includes the first checklist of the area’s Heterocera fauna.