During the month of July, the SPEA Azores team in collaboration with CIBIO carried out a new sampling of nocturnal insects in protected areas on Corvo Island. The study covered six sampling points, with four of them located in Corvo’s Natura 2000 protected areas and the other two in the recently established Corvo Biological Reserve. Light traps and the complementary winerope method were used to attract nocturnal insects.
During the field work, the researchers observed considerable differences in the vegetation between the areas sampled. They also found that the light traps were particularly effective at attracting nocturnal butterflies during the sampling period. Subsequently, the individuals captured will be identified and catalogued, making it possible to understand the distribution of these species and the impact of light pollution on their populations.
Setting up the light trap
These studies are part of the LIFE Natura@night project, adding to knowledge about biodiversity in the protected areas of the Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira.
