Lepidopteran Survey of Grand Teton National Park

Lepidopterans play an integral role in high altitude ecosystems of the Rocky Mountain region as larval herbivores and, more importantly as pollinating adults. Lepidopterans also constitute a major food source for many other invertebrates and vertebrates inhabiting these areas. However, very little is known about the lepidopteran fauna of Wyoming, particularly the Heterocera(moths), and especially in the National Parks. It has therefore been impossible to accurately assess the degree to which lepidopterans affect the ecosystems.