Response of moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) to livestock grazing in Mongolian rangelands

•Moths (Lepidoptera) are recognized as bioindicators for overgrazing.•Species richness and diversity of moths was lower in overgrazed plots.•Pelochrista arabescana and 3 other species indicate overgrazing.•7 species, among them Mythimna conigera, were indicators for lightly grazed plots.