Moth Fauna Research Articles

On the distribution of broad-winged moths (Lepidoptera, Oecophoridae) of the Palaearctic fauna

The Palaearctic fauna of broad-winged moths (Oecophoridae with the subfamilies Oecophorinae, Pleurotinae, and Deuterogoniinae) comprises 47 genera and 329 species. The number of species rapidly increases from north to south, from 19 species in the Euro-Siberian taiga Region to 149 in the Mediterranean Region, but the Scythian steppe Region (30 species) and Sethian desert Region (49 species) have relatively poor faunas because the majority of oecophorid species are trophically associated with arboreal plants. The proper desert species are very rare among Oecophoridae moths, and the majority of species in the Sethian desert Region occur in the mountains. The number of endemic species is also greater in southern regions; it amounts for more than half of the total number of species in the Hesperian and Orthrian evergreen forest regions and in the Sethian desert Region. The faunas of European (62 species) and Far Eastern (67 species) deciduous forests comprise close numbers of species but are very different, having only 5 species in common. This fact indicates their long isolation. The Oecophoridae are represented in the Palaearctic mainly by the genera with a small number of species, except for 2 genera, Pleurota (100 species) and Promalactis (85 species). The distribution patterns of these genera are opposite: the species of Pleurota are numerous in the south of West Europe and in North Africa, their number quickly decreasing from west to east and only 2 species being present in China (Wang, 2006). The species of Promalactis are numerous in Southeast Asia, their number quickly decreasing from east to west: 3 species occur in Tibet and only 1, P. splendidella (Amsel, 1935), in Israel and Turkey.

What we know and do not know about moth diversity from seven-year-monitoring in Mt. Jirisan National Park, South Korea

We sampled macromoths from 2005 to 2011 at six sites in Mt. Jirisan National Park (JNP), the oldest and largest national park in South Korea, to address the following questions: (1) what is the total macromoth species richness of JNP and can the total moth species richness be estimated after 7-years? (2) What is the proportion of moth families and is this pattern of family dominance similar to that seen in other areas? (3) What are the yearly and monthly patterns of macromoth richness? In total, 24,890 individuals belonging to 948 species of 14 families of macrolepidoptera were collected. An estimated species number of 1096 was calculated using the Chao 1 estimator. A rank abundance plot showed a typical log-normal distribution. The proportions of dominant families were similar to those reported in temperate and tropical moth fauna studies: Noctuidae was the most species-rich taxon, followed by Geometridae, Erebidae, Notodontidae, Drepanidae, and Sphingidae. Overall species richness and abundance were greatest in June, but the patterns of species richness and abundance varied by season and site. Within years, patterns of species richness were correlated with phenology but not the proximity of sites to one another in JNP. We provide various hypotheses to explain the high moth diversity in JNP, and future perspectives based on the results of our 7-year moth monitoring study.

Moth diversity of Tawang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India

This paper documents results of an expedition to Tawang district (Arunachal Pradesh) by the Zoological Survey of India, during the period 27th September 2009 to 15th October 2009. Field camps were established at two places i.e. Lumla and Zemmethang. From these two camps, collections of moths were made at various localities by installing light traps. During the survey, more than 250 morpho-species were collected, of which 102 species pertaining to 15 families were identified. The analysis of the fauna revealed that the moth fauna of the area is dominated by the family Geometridae, followed by Arctiidae, Drepanidae, Crambidae, Lymantriidae, Noctuidae, Uraniidae, Lasiocampidae, Sphingidae, Pyralidae, Zygaenidae, Bombycidae, Saturniidae, Pantheidae and Notodontidae.

Heterophleps inusitata, an extremely rare new moth species from western Yunnan, China (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae)

Heinitang is a small Lisu Nationality village located in western Yunnan Province, China, near the frontier of Myanmar. It is surrounded by low mountains covered with evergreen forests and shrubs (Fig. 1). As a tradition, the natives often cut and burn the forests for agriculture, resulting in increasing loss of forest habitat (Fig. 2). The moth fauna of this place is quite diverse, but as in other areas of the world, the biodiversity is decreasing due to more frequent human activities.

Moth Fauna of Biguemdo Island in Korea

This study was conducted to investigate the moth fauna of the Bigeum-do Island in 2011. A total of 160 species of 15 families was identified. Noctuidae with 60 species was dominant in the area followed by Geometridae (37 species) and Crambidae (16 species). The most dominant species was a noctuid moth, Euproctis pulverea (126 individuals).

What happens to the traditional taxonomy when a well-known tropical saturniid moth fauna is DNA barcoded?

Biodiversity of tropical Saturniidae, as measured through traditionally described and catalogued species, strongly risks pooling cryptic species under one name. We examined the DNA barcodes, morphology, habitus and ecology of 32 ‘well known’ species of dry forest saturniid moths from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste (ACG) in north-western Costa Rica and found that they contain as many as 49 biological entities that are probably separate species. The most prominent splitting of traditional species – Eacles imperialis, Automeris zugana, Automeris tridens, Othorene verana, Hylesia dalina, Dirphia avia, Syssphinx molina, Syssphinx colla, and Syssphinx quadrilineata – is where one species was believed to breed in dry forest and rain forest, but is found to be two biological entities variously distinguishable by DNA barcodes and morphology, habitus, and/or microecological distribution. This implies that ‘standard’ biological information about each traditional species may be an unconscious mix of interspecific information, and begs renewed DNA barcoding, closer attention to so-called intraspecific variation, and increased museum collection and curation of specimens from more individual and ecologically characterised sites – as well as eventually more species descriptions. Simultaneously, this inclusion of sibling species as individual entities in biodiversity studies, rather than pooled under one traditional name, reduces the degree of ecological and evolutionary generalisation perceived by the observer.

A Koppány-völgyi lepkefauna vizsgálatának első eredményei (Lepidoptera)

The Lepidoptera fauna in the Külső-Somogy region (Somogy County) in southwestern Hungary is generally under-recorded, despite the fact that the area hosts a diverse landscape and a wide range of natural and semi-natural habitats. As part of the landscape-scale habitat rehabilitation program the authors conducted a series of surveys on the butterfly and macro moth fauna (Rhopalocera and Macroheterocera) of the Koppány valley between the villages Somogydöröcske and Gerézdpuszta in 2010 including the catchment area and the floodland of the stream Koppány. In total 192 species were recorded between April and October. The Lepidoptera fauna is characterized by species associated with wet habitats near the stream (Lycaena dispar rutilus, Chariaspilates formosaria), but is also influenced by the warm broad-leaved woodlands and orchards that surrounds the valley (Meganephria bimaculosa). The change of land-use in the study area threatens the butterfly fauna through the intensification of agriculture (application of pesticides), and the complete cessation of animal husbandry.

Two new species of Arctiidae (Lepidoptera) from Peru

Approximately 300 species of Phaegopterinae (Arctiidae) occur in Peru, many of which were described by Walter Rothschild between 1909 and 1935 from Carabaya province (Puno Department). Only relatively recently has the moth fauna of other regions of the country been surveyed in detail, notably the expeditions undertaken by Thierry Porion in northern and central Peru in the 1980s. Hervé de Toulgoët examined the arctiid material from those surveys, which are deposited in the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris). He described about 15 new species, but a number of new taxa remain among this material, two of which are described here. In addition to the Porion/Toulgoët work, recent collecting using mercury vapour light was conducted to augment available material.

Diversity of Prominent Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Notodontidae) in the Cloud Forests of Northeastern Ecuador, with Descriptions of 27 New Species

AbstractThe prominent moth fauna (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) of Yanayacu Biological Station (Napo Province) in northeastern Ecuador was surveyed to assess which species at the site had been previously described and which were new to science. Taxonomic studies based on comparisons with type material revealed that, of the 67 Notodontidae recorded at Yanayacu, 54% were undescribed before 2009. In this article, 27 species belonging to 12 different genera in four subfamilies are newly described. These findings emphasize the remarkable levels of undocumented insect diversity found in Andean cloud forests, adding further strength to the argument that conservation efforts should focus on preserving such habitats.

Down in the flood? How moth communities are shaped in temperate floodplain forests

Abstract. 1. We investigated moth communities in relation to flood regime across three riparian regions in lowland eastern Austria. Moths sampled with light traps were segregated into resident and stray species. Resident moths were further partitioned into arboreal and ground‐layer species based on their larval habitat.2. Regional differences in species diversity and species composition were far stronger than local differences related to flood regime.3. Stray species (17% of all species and 6% of all individuals sampled) as well as uniques had only negligible influence on diversity and species composition patterns. The single most abundant species turned out to be more problematic for diversity comparisons across regions and habitats than the many rare species and strays.4. Overall moth diversity and ground‐layer moth diversity were generally not reduced in flooded habitats relative to non‐flooded habitats, and diversity of arboreal moths did not show significant differences between flood regimes.5. Differences between habitats in their ground‐layer vegetation appear to be more important for floodplain forest moth diversity than variation in woody vegetation with its associated arboreal moth fauna.6. Patterns in species composition were largely governed by ubiquitous forest species and not by floodplain or wetland habitat specialists. Eighteen of the 44 commonest species were more abundant in flooded habitats, and only 10 of them were more frequent in non‐flooded habitats.7. Our results revealed no general negative impact of flooding on the diversity and species composition of one rich group of terrestrial herbivorous insects.

On the Fauna of the Plume Moths (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) of Lesotho

The fauna of the plume moths of Lesotho is reviewed based on existing collections. Four new species are described: Platyptilia bowkeri, P. sochivkoi, Hellinsia basuto and Merrifieldia innae. In total, 16 species of Pterophoridae are found in Lesotho, with 15 of them being recorded in the country for the first time.

Temporal variation in different life stages of moths (Lepidoptera) from a southwestern temperate forest of Korea: A preliminary study

Two study sites in a temperate forest in Mt. Seungdal-san, Muan, Jeonnam in southwestern Korea were selected for the collection of caterpillars and adult moths (Lepidoptera). Here, we determined (1) the characteristics of moth fauna based on lepidopteran larvae and adults, and (2) the differences in temporal variation between these two developmental stages. In addition, we investigated the life history of moth species collected at the surveyed sites. Of the 206 caterpillars collected, 17 moth species from 9 families were successfully reared. A total of 342 adult moth species and 2108 individuals from 15 families were collected. Twenty-two plants were identified as host plants of 188 caterpillars. Two tree species, Prunus serrulata var. spontanea and Quercus serrata, were widely distributed in the study sites. Leaf water content (%) of Quercus serrata and Carpinus laxiflorawas the highest in June, whereas the leaf water content of Platycarya strobilacea was the highest in August. We postulated that many of the variables in the temperate forest, such as host plant availability, parasitoids, disease, and weather, affected the lepidopteran caterpillar populations. There were differences in species composition among the sampling methods which suggest the need for diverse methods to uncover total biodiversity. However, it should be noted that a long term and well-planned study with efficient rearing of caterpillars is needed to better understand these correlations.

New and interesting records of Lepidoptera from the Kola Peninsula, Northwestern Russia, in 2000–2009

Extensive sampling during 2000–2009 resulted in discovery of 65 species of Lepidoptera that have not been reported from the Kola Peninsula (i.e., Murmanskaya oblast of Russia) in our earlier publications. Critical revision of data published in several papers by the Russian scientists and in the comprehensive Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Russia added further 59 species to the regional fauna (among which we controlled records of 15 species), while 60 species are excluded as erroneous or doubtful records. We also confirmed records of 12 species which were known from old publications only, and reported interesting findings of 71 rare species that expand their distribution range or demonstrate interesting ecological patterns. The fauna of moths and butterflies of the Murmansk region now totals 813 species.

Nocturnal Moth Fauna on Flowers (2) Nectar Robbing by Eudocima tyrannus (Guenee)

Nocturnal Moth Fauna on Flowers (2) Nectar Robbing by Eudocima tyrannus (Guenee)

Summer Lepidopterous Insect fauna of Mt. Bokju (Prov. Gangwon-do) in Korea

This study was conducted to investigate the moth fauna of the Mt. Bokju in July 2010. A total of 219 species of 17 families was identified. Geometridae with 57 species was dominant in the area followed by Noctuidae(50 species) and Crambidae (22 species). The most dominant species was a noctuid moth, Cosmia camptostigma (114 individuals).

Moth Diversity and Abundance between Habitats on a Shade Coffee Plantation in Western Jamaica

Habitat loss is the leading cause of wildlife decline worldwide. More prevalent than out-right destruction, however, is habitat fragmentation, exhibited especially in tropical regions. Less well studied is the effect of these patchworks of habitats, and the subsequent effect on local invertebrate populations. A small-scale study assessing moth diversity and abundance between forest edges and crop interiors on a shade coffee plantation was conducted in western Jamaica in January 2009. Ornithologists use shade coffee as an example of sustainable agriculture that protects neotropical migratory birds, and shade coffee plantations have been shown to act as a buffer area (“halo”) between fragmented habitats for insects. The patches of vegetation allow moths to disperse between areas without suitable vegetation for host plants. UV black light traps were used at the edge and interior of each site to sample local moth fauna. While there was no significant difference in morphospecies richness or abundance, there was a difference in diversity between sites, with very low overlap. The lack of significance suggests coffee habitat may act as a buffer between less disturbed forest and more disturbed human altered areas, but that some species may be restricted to certain habitats. Many moth species are host specific, and can serve as useful indicators for ecosystem and vegetative health and relative abundances. Studies of insects are important because of this group's extreme species diversity, and further research is necessary for assessing alpha, beta, and gamma diversity in rapidly disappearing forests in Jamaica and across the world's tropical regions.

The state of the Dutch larger moth fauna

Moths make up a significant part of the biodiversity both in northwestern Europe and globally. In the Netherlands for instance, 766 species of larger moths are considered native. The interest of amateur recorders in this group in the Netherlands is rapidly growing. This has led to a strong increase in the number of records in the central database, allowing better and more precise calculations on the local trends of moths. About one-third of the species in our analysis are decreasing and could be listed as threatened. On the other hand, some species are strongly increasing. All species together show a significant, declining, trend in abundance. At the same time there exist strong year to year fluctuations in this trend which are due to weather conditions. We conclude, therefore, that the changing climate is having a strong impact on our moth fauna. The absolute number of individuals of the common species has dropped by one-third. We argue that this had a negative impact on plant biodiversity. The need for better protection of moths in northwestern Europe is also implicated by the fact that many species of birds, bats and other groups depend on moths (or their larvae) as main food sources.

Nocturnal Moth Fauna on Flowers

Nocturnal Moth Fauna on Flowers

К фауне пядениц степной зоны европейской части России (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

К фауне пядениц степной зоны европейской части России (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

The natural history of Canterbury ‐ Edited by . Winterbourn, G. Knox, C. Burrows and I. Marsden

The natural history of Canterbury ‐ Edited by . Winterbourn, G. Knox, C. Burrows and I. Marsden