Research conducted by Flora Fauna Nusantara (FFN) in the Ranu Darungan Resort area of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park revealed the diversity of nocturnal moth species and the importance of host plant availability in supporting forest ecosystem balance.
The Ranu Darungan Resort area within Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park possesses a rich nocturnal ecosystem that remains ecologically important for various insect communities. Research conducted by the Flora Fauna Nusantara (FFN) team in 2024 revealed that this area serves as an important habitat for moth species from the Geometroidea group along with the vegetation that supports their life cycles.
Moths are nocturnal insects that become active from dusk until dawn. Although often receiving less public attention compared to butterflies, moths play essential ecological roles, particularly as nighttime pollinators and as part of natural food chains within forest ecosystems.
The study demonstrated that moth diversity is strongly influenced by the availability of host plants. Areas with more diverse vegetation provide greater opportunities for different moth species to survive, reproduce, and maintain stable populations within their habitats.
During the research, several important moth species were successfully documented, including:
- Acropteris illiturata
- Asota heliconia
- Creatonotos sp.
- Nudaria sp.
- Duponchelia sp.
- Eacles sp.
- Xanthorhoe sp.
- Plodia sp.
- Polythlipta macralis
- Conogethes punctiferalis
In addition to documenting moth diversity, the research also identified numerous plant species that potentially function as host plants for nocturnal insects. These findings indicate that ecological interactions between vegetation and insect communities in Ranu Darungan are still actively supporting biodiversity within the conservation area.
The study also highlighted the presence of invasive plant species such as Ageratina riparia. This species has the ability to spread aggressively and potentially suppress native vegetation growth. The expansion of invasive plants may gradually alter habitat composition and affect the sustainability of local insect populations.
The findings demonstrate that nocturnal biodiversity in conservation forests remains highly dynamic and ecologically valuable. Although often overlooked, moth communities contribute significantly to maintaining ecosystem balance, ecological interactions, and forest resilience in mountainous environments.
