An Updated List of the Butterflies of Chile (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea) including Distribution, Flight Period and Conservation Status Part I, Comprising the Families: Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae (In Part) and Hesperiidae describi

Abstract

During more than half a century, Luis Peña and later his collaborator Alfredo Ugarte, gathered all known butterfly data and suspected Chilean specimens to publish their seminal book on the butterflies of Chile (Peña and Ugarte 1997). Their work summarized the accumulated knowledge up to the end of the 20th century. Since then much additional work has been done by the authors, resulting in the descriptions of numerous new species as well as establishing new species records for Chile, especially in the families Lycaenidae and Nymphalidae (Satyrinae). The list of these two families is still not com- plete, as several new species will be published soon and will appear in part II of this paper. The present work involving four families updates the Chilean list by: 1) describing one new species of Pieridae, 2) describing one new subspecies of Nymphalidae (Heliconiinae), 3) adding in total 10 species and two subspecies to the Chilean list.

The present updated list includes regional distribution (D) and for the first time, flight period (FP) and conservation status (C). Many butterfly species in Chile are of special concern for conserva- tion. Several have already apparently disappeared from their biotopes many years ago. The fast pace of development and habitat conversion and loss are endangering many of these insects. The authors send an urgent request to the Chilean authorities to save these insects of Chile because it will soon be too late.