Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

For many years insects have been used to describe the environment, the pace and directions of its changes. Bioindication facilitates monitoring of ecosystems using various insect species as indicators. The study was carried out in selected non-forest biotopes of Miasteczko Śląskie in the Śląskie province, Poland. The aim of the study was to present diversity of non-forest biotopes based on analysis of species compositions of butterflies and moths. It was assumed that areas poor in vegetation, exposed to pollution and intensively used, are likely to have a depleted lepidopterofauna. The linear transect method was used to study diurnal butterflies. The inventory of moths was carried out by attracting them to light, using a canvas screen and a portable power generator. Field work was carried out on selected days in 2021 (butterflies) and 2022 (moths). A total of 1,175 individuals belonging to 168 species were inventoried. One rare species of diurnal butterflies, previously unrecorded from the area, was found. It was Lysandra bellargus syn. Polyommatus bellargus. It was found that the meadow showed advanced succession, but was surrounded by single-family houses with home gardens, characterized by the greatest species diversity, as indicated among other things by the number of butterflies. The meadow in the railway area was poorest in species.