The role of adult noctuid moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their food plants in a nocturnal pollen-transport network on a Mediterranean island

Abstract Noctuidae belong to one of the largest families night-flying Lepidoptera. However, despite being among most common nocturnal flower-visitors, they have seldom been included in pollination networks. Similarly, current knowledge on food plants used by adults is rather scarce. In this article, we build first moth–plant pollen transfer network Balearic archipelago. We aim increase which are as resources adult Noctuidae, assess how specific or generalist pollinators and their establish baseline information Noctuidae–plant interactions archipelago Mediterranean. 20.7% our samplings carried were therefore potentially involved pollination. The family Ericaceae, especially Arbutus unedo , was a key resource for moth community, with 46% total recorded belonging plant. Overall, both moths system behaved way. Niche overlap larger than plants, suggesting that functional role species take more redundant taken plants. Robustness values suggest functionality would not collapse extinction few species. Implications insect conservation Detecting flower preferences insects will allow understanding ecosystem be crucial organisms depend them.