First Records, Representing Major Range Extensions, of Three Species of Lepidoptera (Erebidae, Noctuidae, and Lasiocampidae) from New Mexico

Research at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, part of the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico, has uncovered the first records of three moth species (Cisthene perrosea, Schinia intrebilis, and Tolype meyelisae) in the state, significantly extending their known ranges. These discoveries were made possible through systematic black-light trapping efforts initiated by the National Park Service in 2006, which aimed to document the Lepidoptera fauna of the region. The findings highlight the importance of such studies in revealing biodiversity hotspots and range expansions in understudied desert ecosystems.

Metzler, E. H., Forbes, G. S., Bustos, D., & West, R. (2010). First Records, Representing Major Range Extensions, of Three Species of Lepidoptera (Erebidae, Noctuidae, and Lasiocampidae) from New Mexico. Southwestern Entomologist, 35(3), 309–311. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.035.0309