Comments on the butterfly fauna (Papilionoidea) of Porto Santo (Madeira Archipelago): species list, distribution patterns, and butterfly-plant network

Abstract

"Porto Santo (Madeira Archipelago) is a relatively old (11.1 to 14.3 Ma) and small volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean. The main part of the island is characterised by semiarid climate and xeric vegetation, while the higher altitudes show subhumid conditions. So far, 11 butterfly species (Papilionoidea) have been detected on Porto Santo. The occurrence of Macroglossum stellatarum (Sphingidae) is published for the first time. The butterfly species of Porto Santo are commented and some comparisons with Madeira Island are discussed. The distribution of butterfly species on Porto Santo was studied during March 2017 (Papilionoidea