---
title: Global Lepidoptera Index
alias: Global Lepidoptera Index
description: "Global Lepidoptera Index is a revised dataset based on the Global Lepidoptera\
  \ Names Index (LepIndex), a digitised and updated version of the unique index card\
  \ archive to the scientific names of the living and fossil butterflies and moths\
  \ of the world at the Natural History Museum (London). This card index was produced\
  \ by the museum’s lepidopterists over many decades and contained 15,578 genus and\
  \ 157,474 species names for Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), together with synonyms,\
  \ misspellings and misidentifications. Updates to LepIndex, the digitised version\
  \ of this dataset, ended in 2012. Large sections of the dataset are outdated and\
  \ contain errors or inaccuracies (particularly relating to changes in higher classification\
  \ and incomplete data on historical combinations for each epithet), but the size\
  \ of the Lepidoptera makes it challenging to find and correct all these issues.\n\
  \nLepIndex has now been imported into TaxonWorks and is maintained there as an online\
  \ curated resource. Significant updates have been made to some families, and work\
  \ will continue to improve all aspects of this important dataset. \n\nTaxonomists\
  \ working with any Lepidoptera groups are encouraged to make contributions to improve\
  \ the quality and completeness of the dataset. Please contact Donald Hobern (donald.hobern@sp2000.org)\
  \ for more information."
issued: 2022-10-19
version: 2022-10-19
contact:
  orcid: 0000-0001-6492-4016
  given: Donald
  family: Hobern
  rorid: 04m098c22
  city: Aranda
  state: ACT
  email: donald.hobern@sp2000.org
  url: https://sp2000.org/
  address: Aranda, ACT
  organisation: Species 2000
creator:
 -
  orcid: 0000-0003-0323-8535
  given: George
  family: Beccaloni
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  given: Malcolm
  family: Scoble
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  orcid: 0000-0003-4738-5967
  given: Ian
  family: Kitching
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  orcid: 0000-0001-9857-9564
  given: Thomas
  family: Simonsen
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  given: Gaden
  family: Robinson
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  given: Brian
  family: Pitkin
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  given: Adrian
  family: Hine
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  orcid: 0000-0003-3647-6222
  given: Christopher
  family: Lyal
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  given: Justin
  family: Ollerenshaw
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
 -
  orcid: 0000-0002-8634-8790
  given: Peter
  family: Wing
  rorid: 039zvsn29
  city: London
  country: GB
  url: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
  address: London, United Kingdom
  organisation: Natural History Museum
editor:
 -
  orcid: 0000-0001-6492-4016
  given: Donald
  family: Hobern
  rorid: 04m098c22
  city: Aranda
  state: ACT
  email: donald.hobern@sp2000.org
  url: https://sp2000.org/
  address: Aranda, ACT
  organisation: Species 2000
keyword: []
geographicScope: Global
taxonomicScope: Moths and Butterflies
temporalScope: Modern
confidence: 2
completeness: 70
license: cc by
logo: https://api.checklistbank.org/dataset/55434/logo%3Fsize=ORIGINAL
source: []
