Survey of the Lepidoptera in the North-Central Olympic National Park, Washington, USA

A comprehensive survey of the Lepidoptera fauna in North-Central Olympic National Park, Washington, USA, identified 369 species through a one-year field study combining day collecting, blacklight traps, and light collecting. When combined with voucher collections, this research yields a checklist of 413 species records for the park. Notably, the survey uncovered endemic subspecies unique to the Olympic Mountains, as well as isolated relicts of arctic/alpine species typically found in the Cascades, Rockies, or far northern regions. Additionally, several species represent the northernmost populations known from coastal California and Oregon, suggesting a rich diversity that extends beyond the park's boundaries. While this study provides a significant contribution to understanding the Lepidoptera diversity in Olympic National Park, it also highlights the need for further exploration in more remote areas to achieve a more complete picture of this fauna.

Mustelin, T., Lucas, V. P., & Crabo, L. G. (2018). Survey of the Lepidoptera in the North-Central Olympic National Park, Washington, USA. Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society, 72(4), 284–295. https://doi.org/10.18473/lepi.72i4.a6