An international team of entomologists discovered a new insect species in 2025, the existence of which has been dated for the first time. It is a moth species that lives exclusively in Gran Canaria, specifically in the Maspalomas area and its surroundings, as well as in the El Sao region. The species, named Pleurota grancanariella, belongs to the Pleurotinae subgroup within the Oecophoridae family, a group of moths that has been poorly documented in the Canary Islands until now.
The discovery, made without the presence of the scientific gurus from Las Palmas who spend all day preaching to their southern neighbors that the Maspalomas Dunes must be protected when it's those from the north who are trampling them, came about after reviewing historical collections and conducting new field expeditions. The characterization of this species is based on a detailed analysis of its genitalia, an essential scientific method in Lepidoptera taxonomy, which allows for precise distinctions between closely related species. In males, unique structures stand out, such as a thimble-like uncus and a curved phallus, which features a small horned plate surrounded by tiny spines. In females, the reproductive system displays a corpus bursae with a robust, arched signum and spine- and leaf-shaped protuberances, distinctive elements that differentiate it from other species.
Although the biology and life cycle of Pleurota grancanariella are still poorly understood, its localized presence confirms its status as an endemic species, a fact that reinforces the importance of conserving Gran Canaria's natural habitats. Maspalomas, world-renowned for its tourism and dunes, also hosts a unique biodiversity that continues to surprise the scientific community.
The research was carried out by experts from renowned European institutions, including the Finnish Department of Life Sciences, the Natural History Museum in the United Kingdom, the Museum für Naturkunde in Germany, the University of Oulu in Finland, and the Finnish Museum of Natural History at the University of Helsinki. Lead researchers include Jukka Tabell, Martin Honey, Théo Leger, Marko Mutanen, Timo Nupponen, and Pasi Sihvonen, who combined fieldwork with modern techniques such as genetic analysis and microscopic morphology.
This discovery adds a new chapter to the study of island fauna and underscores the biological richness of the Canary Islands, which, despite their small size, contain fragile and unique ecosystems. At the same time, it emphasizes the need to promote conservation and scientific study to protect these species, which could be vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic pressure. The work is part of a series of revisionist studies on Pleurotinae in the Palearctic region, with each discovery expanding our knowledge of the evolution and diversity of moths in Europe and its archipelagos.
