Biodiversity of Day-flying Micro-Moths of GSMNP

Day-flying moths of the Microlepidoptera will be surveyed in GSMNP, in particular   families Choreutidae, Glyphipterigidae, Heliodinidae, and Sesiidae, as well as others that may be found, so the biodiversity of these rarely collected moths can be determined for the region. Any new species discovered will be described or sent to a specialist for description for families the PI does not generally work with. Day-flying moths are extensively under surveyed due to their general lack of response to lights. Thus, many species are rarely collected or remain unknown. Flight traps will secure some of these mostly small moths, but generally such traps are not sorted for the Lepidoptera, or the samples are in alcohol, so in either case the micro-moths are not generally saved if present unless a specialist sorts the sample first or specific collections are made for these moths.