Petaloudes

It includes the villages of Kremasti, Paradisi, Theologos (Tholos), Damatria, Maritsa, and Pastida.

[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.