Species Richness and Seasonal Abundance of Hawk Moth1 Fauna in a Fragment of Tropical Semi-Deciduous Forest of Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Sphingidae is an important component contributing to ecological functions in the tropics. However, ecological studies and inventories are scarce. The diversity of nocturnal hawk moths in a fragment of tropical semi-deciduous forest (TSDF) at central Veracruz, Mexico were described. A 250-watt mercury-vapor lamp was used nocturnally for collection each month for 1 year. Collection was during 1 night of new moon from 1800 to 0600 hours. Diversity and correlated hawk moth richness and abundance were correlated with mean temperature and rainfall. In total, 178 specimens of 41 species, 18 genera, four tribes, and three subfamilies were recorded. Individual-based rarefaction curves and sample coverage showed satisfactory hawk moth community. The most abundant species were Eumorpha satellitia (Linnaeus), Xylophanes pluto (Fabricius), Nyceryx riscus (Schaus), and X. libya (Druce). Correlation analysis did not indicate a relationship between environmental variables and richness or abundance of hawk moths. PERMANOVA analysis did not show variation in the hawk moth community between rainy (29 species) and dry seasons (31 species). On local and regional scales, the study revealed many hawk moths species in tropical semi-deciduous forest. Increased knowledge of biodiversity is needed on a larger geographical scale.