Observations of Jordanita species in Central Europe from the BioOffice database, Tyolean state museum

The decline of biodiversity in general and of insect diversity in
particular has been recognized as a major environmental problem in recent
years. The study of Markl et al., in which this dataset was used, reports
the distribution and the decline of populations of forester moths of the
genus Jordanita in Central Europe since 1950 as a type example of the loss
of grassland biodiversity, and discusses the reasons for this decline.
Based on extensive work in museums and private collections, a literature
review and own observations, and including data as far back as 1834, this
genus helps to understand the deeper reasons of insect population and
biodiversity decline, as the well investigated six Central European
species cover a broad range of extensive grassland habitats (fens to
low-production grassland and xerothermic steppes) from low altitudes to
high alpine meadows. Therefore, they monitor processes relevant also to
other, less investigated grassland species.