Petaloudes
Πεταλούδες
Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis resting on an Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) tree trunk in the valley
Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis resting on an Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) tree trunk in the valley
Petaloudes is located in Greece
Petaloudes
Petaloudes
Location within Rhodes
Coordinates: 36°25′N 28°07′E / 36.417°N 28.117°E / 36.417; 28.117
CountryGreece
Administrative regionSouth Aegean
Regional unitRhodes
MunicipalityRhodes
 • Municipal unit89.2 km2 (34.4 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipal unit
14,962
 • Municipal unit density170/km2 (430/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

Petaloudes (Greek: Πεταλούδες) is a former municipality on the island of Rhodes, in the Dodecanese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Rhodes, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] Its population was 14,962 in 2011. It includes the villages of Kremasti, Paradisi, Theologos (Tholos), Damatria, Maritsa, and Pastida. The seat of the municipality was in Kremasti. The land area is 89.150 km2.[3]

The Petaloudes Valley (sometimes known as Valley of the Butterflies) is home to thousands of the Rhodes subspecies of the Jersey tiger moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis) that cover the entire landscape after the wet season (late May) due to the high humidity in the area. The Oriental sweetgum trees in Petaloudes Valley give off a scent that attracts the moths and creates a unique biotope. Owing to the increased number of visitors, the Euplagia are facing population issues as they have no stomach and when disturbed tend to fly frequently and thus deplete their energy.

The valley and its unique ecology play a key role in Race of Scorpions, Book Three in Dorothy Dunnett's House of Niccolo series of historical novels.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Petaloudes.

References

  1. ↑ "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. ↑ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  3. ↑ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.


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