Noctuoid moths as bioindicators in coastal dune ecosystems

Coastal dune systems are among the most dynamic and vulnerable ecosystems in Europe. Shaped by strong abiotic gradients and characterised by distinct vegetation zonation from the seashore inland, these habitats host specialised biological communities while remaining highly sensitive to environmental change. Effective biodiversity monitoring in such systems therefore depends on the selection of bioindicators that can reliably reflect both ecological structure and functional processes.

A recent study conducted in a well-preserved and protected dune system along the Adriatic coast of Central Italy addresses this challenge by focusing on noctuoid moths. Although moths are widely recognised as valuable bioindicators in many terrestrial ecosystems, their diversity patterns and ecological responses in coastal dune habitats have received comparatively little attention. This research contributes new insights by examining both the taxonomic and functional diversity of noctuoid assemblages across different dune zones.

The study investigated how vegetation composition and dune zonation influence noctuoid diversity and trait distributions. Moths were sampled annually using UV LED light traps placed in both shifting dunes and fixed dunes, representing different stages of dune stabilisation. In parallel, vegetation surveys were conducted in spring using standardised 4 × 4 m plots to characterise plant community composition and structure in each zone.

In total, 98 noctuoid species were recorded, including 78 species of Noctuidae, 18 Erebidae, one Nolidae, and one Notodontidae. Analyses revealed clear differences between dune zones in terms of species richness, abundance distribution patterns, and functional traits. Notably, the presence of habitat-exclusive species in both shifting and fixed dunes highlights the role of abiotic and biotic filtering processes in structuring noctuoid assemblages along the seashore–inland gradient.

Trait-based analyses further demonstrated strong ecological links between moth communities and dune vegetation. The congruence observed between plant and noctuoid species composition and abundance suggests that changes in vegetation structure and zonation are closely mirrored by changes in moth assemblages. This alignment reinforces the suitability of noctuoid moths as effective bioindicators for monitoring biodiversity and ecological integrity in coastal dune systems.

Beyond its methodological contributions, the study carries important implications for conservation and management. The results emphasise that dune zones should not be treated as isolated units. Instead, the ecological connections between shifting and fixed dunes underscore the need to conserve entire dune systems as integrated ecological entities, ensuring the maintenance of biodiversity, functional processes, and long-term ecosystem resilience.

The study was conducted in the Natura 2000 site “Foce Trigno-Marina di Petacciato-IT7228221” (Molise Region, Adriatic coast, Central Italy), a protected area included in the Integrated European Long–Term Ecosystem critical zone and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER).

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Rasino, M.d.V., Fattorini, S., Innangi, M., Stanisci, A., Sciarretta, A. and Carranza, M.L. (2026), Taxonomic and functional diversity of noctuoid moths in a Mediterranean coastal area: implications for dune conservation in a long-term ecological research eLTER site. Insect Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.70228