Unveiling the patterns and drivers of scientific and societal interest in Brazilian lepidopterans

Abstract Insects represent the bulk of species in terrestrial systems and provide numerous benefits to human society. However, they are often overlooked in biodiversity research and receive less public attention than plants and vertebrates, exacerbating knowledge gaps for this group. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first macroecological assessment of scientific research effort and societal attention for more than 13 000 Brazilian lepidopterans. We compiled data on research output, online search activity and a suite of biological and cultural factors to examine how both scientists and the public allocate attention across taxa. Our results show that attention is disproportionately concentrated in wide-ranging, species-rich and more familiar taxa. Also, specimen availability in biological collections correlated with higher research output. Because such biases may affect biodiversity studies that rely on trait data, as well as the identification of conservation priorities, they represent a critical challenge for advancing an accurate understanding of global biodiversity. Recognizing that biological features and cultural factors shape research agendas is therefore essential. By explicitly addressing these drivers, the scientific community can move towards more balanced and inclusive research strategies. This approach may help to optimize the allocation of limited resources and ensure that vulnerable yet neglected taxa are included in conservation initiatives.