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1 Expansion of biomass energy production using woody feedstocks is being accomplished through post-timber harvest removal of coarse woody debris > 10 cm. The effect of this management on forest Lepidoptera is poorly known. 2 The present study aimed to determine whether forest lepidopteran diversity and species composition were affected by two silvicultural disturbances: timber harvest and post-logging removal of coarse woody debris > 10.0 cm in diameter. 3 In 2014, Lepidoptera were sampled from nine forest stands subject to one of three management treatments: control (no manipulation at all), clear cut and partial retention of coarse woody debris (80% removal), and clear cut and complete removal of coarse woody debris. 4 As expected, species richness and composition were significantly impacted by timber harvest. Subsequent removal of 80% or 100% coarse woody debris, however, did not affect specialists, detritivores and pollinators. 5 The absence of an effect as a result of the removal of coarse woody debris could be a result of the limited number of replicate stands, small stand size and the limited range of retention treatments. We suggest, however, that retention of fine woody debris with a diameter < 10.0 cm and inclusion of unlogged stands in the forest landscape maintains some of the habitat elements necessary for Lepidoptera.

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