Nocturnal Moths Research Articles

Nocturnal moth pollination in an alpine orchid, Platanthera tipuloides

AbstractPollination success of alpine plants is often restricted by low and unpredictable pollinator activity because of harsh and unstable weather conditions, where nocturnal pollination is rare. The alpine orchid, Platanthera tipuloides (Orchidaceae), has inconspicuous greenish yellow flowers with a sweet scent and a long spur that contains nectar. These floral traits are expected to be related to nocturnal moth pollination. To elucidate the pollination mode and reproductive characteristics of this species, we measured floral traits (spur length, nectar content in the spur, floral scent), documented flower visitors using camera traps, and quantified self‐compatibility and the degree of pollen limitation through controlled pollinations at two study plots in the Taisetsu Mountains, northern Japan. It was revealed that P. tipuloides is self‐incompatible and pollen limitation was absent at one of the study plots. The flowers emitted more volatile substances during the night, including lilac aldehyde isomers, which are known to attract moths. A nocturnal moth, Entephria amplicosta, was observed foraging nectar from the flowers, while no diurnal visitors were observed. The proboscis of E. amplicosta was shorter than the spur length, but it was long enough to access the accumulated nectar in the spurs. These results suggest that nocturnal pollination by moths is possible and can be efficient even in an alpine ecosystem with harsh environmental conditions.

Identification, expression analysis, and functional verification of three opsin genes related to the phototactic behaviour of Ostrinia furnacalis.

Ostrinia furnacalis is a disreputable herbivorous pest that poses a serious threat to corn crops. Phototaxis in nocturnal moths plays a crucial role in pest prediction and control. Insect opsins are the main component of insect visual system. However, the inherent molecular relationship between phototactic behaviour and vision of insects remains a mystery. Herein, three opsin genes were identified and cloned from O. furnacalis (OfLW, OfBL, and OfUV). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that all opsin genes had visual pigment (opsin) retinal binding sites and seven transmembrane domains. Opsin genes were distributed across different developmental stages and tissues, with the highest expression in adults and compound eyes. The photoperiod-induced assay elucidated that the expression of three opsin genes in females were higher during daytime, while their expression in males tended to increase at night. Under the sustained darkness, the expression of opsin genes increased circularly, although the increasing amplitude in males was lower when compared with females. Furthermore, the expression of OfLW, OfBL, and OfUV was upregulated under green, blue, and ultraviolet light, respectively. The results of RNA interference showed that the knockout of opsin genes decreased the phototaxis efficiency of female and male moths to green, blue, and ultraviolet light. Our results reveal that opsin genes are involved in the phototactic behaviour of moths, providing a potential target gene for pest control and a basis for further investigation on the phototactic behaviour of Lepidoptera insects.

Study the Diversity of Nocturnal Moths in Agricultural Field of Western Maharashtra Region

Abstract: Study of moths is important as they are significant part of the ecosystem. A study on macro-moths was conducted at agricultural field of Western Maharashtra region from month of June 2022 to May 2023. The Main aim of study to acquire the detail information of moths found in agricultural filed of District Satara and Pune. During the study period, a total 2012 specimen’s moths were observed. In addition, the number of families recorded from agricultural field of Western Maharashtra is also high, 20 families and 57 species occurred in desired location. Agricultural field of Western Maharashtra shows moths diversity. So, moth diversity was studied from Western Maharashtra from two sites including Phaltan and Baramati taluka respectively. These two sites have a few species in common. In general, Arctiidae, Noctuidae, Pyralidae and Sphingidae dominated both the sites. The Moths were collected by using mercury light traps (160 W). The moth diversity has been studied for the first time from Agricultural field of Western Maharashtra region.

Addition of nocturnal pollinators modifies the structure of pollination networks

Although the ecological network approach has substantially contributed to the study of plant-pollinator interactions, current understanding of their functional structure is biased towards diurnal pollinators. Nocturnal pollinators have been systematically ignored despite the publication of several studies that have tried to alleviate this diurnal bias. Here, we explored whether adding this neglected group of pollinators had a relevant effect on the overall architecture of three high mountain plant-pollinator networks. Including nocturnal moth pollinators modified network properties by decreasing total connectivity, connectance, nestedness and robustness to plant extinction; and increasing web asymmetry and modularity. Nocturnal moths were not preferentially connected to the most linked plants of the networks, and they were grouped into a specific “night” module in only one of the three networks. Our results indicate that ignoring the nocturnal component of plant-pollinator networks may cause changes in network properties different from those expected from random undersampling of diurnal pollinators. Consequently, the neglect of nocturnal interactions may provide a distorted view of the structure of plant-pollinator networks with relevant implications for conservation assessments.

A novel method for identifying key genes in macroevolution based on deep learning with attention mechanism

Macroevolution can be regarded as the result of evolutionary changes of synergistically acting genes. Unfortunately, the importance of these genes in macroevolution is difficult to assess and hence the identification of macroevolutionary key genes is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. In this study, we designed various word embedding libraries of natural language processing (NLP) considering the multiple mechanisms of evolutionary genomics. A novel method (IKGM) based on three types of attention mechanisms (domain attention, kmer attention and fused attention) were proposed to calculate the weights of different genes in macroevolution. Taking 34 species of diurnal butterflies and nocturnal moths in Lepidoptera as an example, we identified a few of key genes with high weights, which annotated to the functions of circadian rhythms, sensory organs, as well as behavioral habits etc. This study not only provides a novel method to identify the key genes of macroevolution at the genomic level, but also helps us to understand the microevolution mechanisms of diurnal butterflies and nocturnal moths in Lepidoptera.

Impact of reserve area on reproduction of a moth‐pollinated Stackhousia Sm. (Celastraceae) species in a fragmented landscape

AbstractLandscape disturbance frequently results in reduced pollination and reproduction of animal‐pollinated plants. However, few studies globally, and no studies in Australia, have focused on the impact(s) on plants with nocturnal moth pollinators. This study measured natural levels of reproduction of the common, nocturnally moth‐pollinated plant Stackhousia aspericocca Schuch. ssp. Cylindrical inflorescence (W.R.Barker 1418) (Celastraceae) across a range of reserves of varying sizes within a fragmented landscape of southern Australia. We hypothesized that plant reproduction would show a positive relationship with reserve area. Nocturnal pollinator surveys confirmed that night‐flying settling moths of the families Geometridae and Noctuidae visited flowers of S. aspericocca ssp. Cylindrical inflorescence in the study region, and 8 out of 16 captured, flower‐visiting moths carried more than 100 pollen grains of the study species (overall mean ± SD: 616.69 ± 1155.70). Two individuals of the common geometrid moth Oenochroma vinaria each carried over 3000 pollen grains. Thus, visiting moths may remove and carry large amounts of pollen. In contrast to our initial hypothesis, however, plant reproduction, measured as proportional fruit‐set and mean seed number per fruit, showed no relation to reserve area across two consecutive years, and mean levels of plant reproduction were spatially similar throughout the fragmented landscape of the study region. It is hypothesized that the reproductive resilience of S. aspericocca ssp. Cylindrical inflorescence in the study region is due to effective pollination by common, night‐flying moths, which may utilize both the reserves and their surrounding matrix to complete their life cycle(s).

Night and day: Contributions of diurnal and nocturnal visitors to pollen dispersal, paternity diversity, and fruit set in an early-blooming shrub, Daphne jezoensis.

Under uncertain pollinator visit conditions, plants often exhibit long flowering periods and generalized pollination systems. Flowering of the gynodioecious shrub Daphne jezoensis occurs in early spring in cool temperate forests. Pollination by nocturnal moths is expected, given the species' tubular-shaped flowers with sweet fragrance and nectar. However, the effectiveness of nocturnal moths under cool conditions is unknown. We evaluated the relative importance of diurnal and nocturnal visitors as pollinators in early spring. We investigated flowering duration, flower visitors, and floral scents in a natural population. We experimentally exposed flowers to visitors only during daytime or nighttime using bagging treatments and evaluated the contributions of diurnal and nocturnal insects to fruit set, pollen dispersal distance, and paternity diversity using 16 microsatellite markers. Female flowers lasted ~3 wk, which was ~8 d longer than the flowering period of hermaphrodites. Various insects, including Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera, visited the flowers during both daytime and nighttime. Flowers emitted volatiles, such as lilac aldehyde isomers and β-ocimene, which are known to attract moths. Fruit-set rate in the night-open treatment was similar to or higher than that in the day-open treatment. However, pollen dispersal distance in the night-open treatment was shorter than that in the day-open treatment. Paternity diversity was similar in day-open and night-open treatments. Early-blooming plants ensure pollen receipt and dispersal by having a long flowering period and using both diurnal and nocturnal flower visitors, suggesting the importance of a generalized pollination system under uncertain pollinator visit conditions.

Regional Pollination Activity by Moth Migration in Athetis lepigone.

Nocturnal moths (Lepidoptera) are important pollinators of a wide range of plant species. Understanding the foraging preferences of these insects is essential for their scientific management. However, this information is lacking for most moth species. The present study was therefore conducted to delineate the host plant feeding and pollination ranges of an agriculturally important nocturnal moth species Athetis lepigone by identifying the pollen species adhering to their bodies during long-distance migration. Pollen grains were dislodged from 1871 A. lepigone migrants captured on Beihuang Island in the Bohai Strait between 2020 and 2021. This region is a key seasonal migration pathway for A. lepigone in northern China. Almost 20% of all moths sampled harbored pollens, providing direct evidences that this moth species may serve as pollinators. Moreover, at least 39 pollen taxa spanning 21 plant families and 31 genera were identified, with a preference for Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, and Pinaceae. Additionally, the pollen adherence ratios and taxa varied with moth sex, inter-annual changes, and seasonal fluctuations. Most importantly, the pollen taxa were correlated with insect migration stages and indicated that A. lepigone bidirectionally migrates between central China (Shandong, Hebei, and Henan Provinces) and northeastern China (Liaoning Province). Overall, the findings of the present work provide valuable information on the pollination behavior, geographical origins, and pollination regions of A. lepigone moths and could facilitate the design and optimization of efficacious local and regional management strategies for this important insect.

3D reconstruction of larval and adult brain neuropils of two giant silk moth species: Hyalophora cecropia and Antheraea pernyi

We present a detailed analysis of the brain anatomy of two saturniid species, the cecropia silk moth, Hyalophora cecropia, and the Chinese oak silk moth, Antheraea pernyi, including 3D reconstructions of the major brain neuropils in the larva and in male and female adults. The 3D reconstructions, prepared from high-resolution optical sections, showed that the corresponding neuropils of these saturniid species are virtually identical. Similarities between the two species include a pronounced sexual dimorphism in the adults in the form of a male-specific assembly of markedly enlarged glomeruli forming the so-called macroglomerular complex. From the reports published to date, it can be concluded that the neuropil architecture of saturniids resembles that of other nocturnal moths, including the sibling family Sphingidae. In addition, compared with previous anatomical data on diurnal lepidopteran species, significant differences were observed in the two saturniid species, which include the thickness of the Y-tract of the mushroom body, the size of the main neuropils of the optic lobes, and the sexual dimorphisms of the antennal lobes.

Effect of monochromatic light on light adaptation and opsin expression in Ectropis grisescens.

Light has a substantial effect on the behaviour and physiology of nocturnal moths. Ectropis grisescens is a major nocturnal tea pest in China, and light traps are commonly used to control geometrid moths because of their positive phototaxis. However, some moths gather around light traps and enter the light adaptation state, which decreases the efficacy of light traps in controlling this pest. We identified opsin genes and the spectral sensitivities of the photoreceptors of E. grisescens moths. We also determined the effects of several monochromatic lights on opsin gene expression and light adaptation. We detected three types of opsin genes and six spectral sensitive peaks (at 370, 390, 480, 530, 550, and 580 nm). We also observed significant changes in the diurnal rhythm of opsin gene expression under different light conditions. When active males were suddenly exposed to different monochromatic lights, they quickly entered the light adaptation state, and the adaptation time was negatively correlated with the light intensity. Males were most sensitive to 390 nm wavelengths, followed by 544 nm, 457 nm, and 593 nm. Red light (627 nm) did not affect the activity of E. grisescens males but had detectable physiological effects.

Pollen Molecular Identification from a Long-Distance Migratory Insect, Spodoptera exigua, as Evidenced for Its Regional Pollination in Eastern Asia.

Understanding plant-insect interactions requires the uncovering of the host plant use of insect herbivores, but such information is scarce for most taxa, including nocturnal moth species, despite their vital role as herbivores and pollinators. In this study, we determined the plant species visited by an important moth species, Spodoptera exigua, by analyzing attached pollen on migratory individuals in Northeast China. Pollen grains were dislodged from 2334 S. exigua long-distance migrants captured between 2019 and 2021 on a small island in the center of the Bohai Strait, which serves as a seasonal migration pathway for this pest species, and 16.1% of the tested moths exhibited pollen contamination, primarily on the proboscis. Subsequently, 33 taxa from at least 23 plant families and 29 genera were identified using a combination of DNA barcoding and pollen morphology, primarily from the Angiosperm, Dicotyledoneae. Moreover, the sex, inter-annual, and seasonal differences in pollen adherence ratio and pollen taxa were revealed. Notably, compared to previously reported pollen types found on several other nocturnal moths, we found that almost all of the above 33 pollen taxa can be found in multiple nocturnal moth species, providing another important example of conspecific attraction. Additionally, we also discussed the indicative significance of the pollen present on the bodies of migratory individuals for determining their migratory route. Overall, by delineating the adult feeding and pollination behavior of S. exigua, we advanced our understanding of the interactions of the moths with their host plants, and its migration pattern, as well as facilitated the design of (area-wide) management strategies to preserve and optimize ecosystem services that they provide.

Moth community among apples during bloom in Northwest Arkansas: likely pollinators and activity periods.

Apples are a fruit crop of economic and nutritional importance that require cross-pollination primarily by insects for sustainable production. It was recently demonstrated that nocturnal pollinators can contribute as much to apple pollination as diurnal pollinators. However, information concerning nocturnal pollinator identity, activity periods, and community composition in apples is lacking, which limits research expansion. To address this knowledge gap, nocturnal moths in an apple orchard were surveyed during apple bloom from 2018 to 2020 using blacklight traps, with samples collected hourly to delineate moth activity. Observations during the same periods were made to identify moths visiting apple flowers, whose capture data were then compared to other captured moth species to provide useful information concerning community composition during apple bloom. Blacklight surveys yielded 1,087 moths representing at least 68 species from 12 families, wherein 15 species from five families were observed visiting apple flowers. Captured moths were most abundant and diverse in the first two hours after sunset. Most captured moth species did not visit flowers and are likely not associated with apple pollination. However, moth species that were observed visiting flowers were the most abundant overall and most diverse by hour in surveys. Data indicate a rich moth community present among apple orchards during bloom and identify likely moth pollinators of apples. Though more research is required to establish the precise relationships between moth pollination and apples, the information provided here allows for targeted efforts to do so.

Secondary pollinators contribute to reproductive success of a pink-flowered sand verbena population.

Secondary pollinators contribute to reproductive success of a pink-flowered sand verbena population.

Swallowtail butterflies and hawkmoths contribute equally to the pollination of Habenaria dentata (Orchidaceae)

Mixed pollination system with both diurnal and nocturnal visitors contributing to pollen transfer and seed set have been documented in many angiosperm species. The flowers of Habenaria species are usually green or white, with a long nectar secreting spur, and are usually interpreted as specialized for pollination by nocturnal moths. With a few exceptions, nocturnal moths and diurnal butterflies are both reported as pollinators of Habenaria species. However, the relative contributions made by moths versus butterflies to the reproductive success in the same orchid species has rarely been studied. We investigated the floral morphology, pollinators, pollination efficiency, and breeding system of Habenaria dentata in southern China. We showed that two species of diurnal swallowtail butterflies (Papilio helenus and Papilio memnon) and a species of crepuscular hawkmoth (Eupanacra mydon) were this orchid's effective pollinators. The pollinaria were attached to the eyes of these three insect species. Pollinator exclusion experiments showed that pollinarium removal and pollinium deposition rates on stigmas by butterflies (47.51% and 38.64%, respectively) were not significantly different from those made by hawkmoths (50.70% and 34.47%, respectively), indicating that diurnal and crepuscular visits contributed equally to reproductive success. As natural rates of insect-mediated pollination of our population of H. dentata resulted in fruit set rates of 93.33%, rejected the prospect that this population was pollinator limited. Hand pollination experiments indicated that H. dentata was self-compatible but without autonomous self-pollination. The proportion of well-developed seeds with large embryos in self-pollinated fruits was significantly lower than in cross-pollinated fruits, suggesting natural selection favors xenogamy. Our results highlighted the importance of both butterflies and hawkmoths contributing to the reproductive success of a rare orchid with a mixed pollination system.

Effects of yellow and green light stress on emergence, feeding and mating of Anomala corpulenta Motschulsky and Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Light is one of the key environmental factors for insects to survive. Artificial light sources different from natural environmental light can cause light stress in insects. Yellow and green light stress can interfere with the diurnal rhythm of nocturnal moths and their mating, oviposition, and adult longevity. The scarabaeid beetles Anomala corpulenta Motschulsky and Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky are widely distributed, and they are very harmful underground pests. In order to clarify the effects of light stress on their behaviors, individuals of both species were exposed to yellow light (565-585 nm) and green light (525-545 nm), with different light intensity gradients of yellow light in a laboratory setting. The short-term light stress treatment of A. corpulenta and H. parallela was carried out at night. The number of beetles emerging per half an hour was recorded, and mating pairs and feeding activity in 24 h were counted. The results showed that yellow and green light stress significantly changed the rhythm and reduced the rate of beetle emergence in the two beetle species investigated. Also, the peak emergence activity was delayed and the feeding and mating activities were significantly reduced. When treated with different intensities of yellow light, it was found that the rate of emergence of A. corpulenta under 10 lx was close to the control groups. The rate of emergence in H. parallela was significantly lower than the control groups before 0:00, in the 60 lx and 110 lx treatment groups, but after 0:00, the emergence rate of H. parallela was significantly higher in the 60 lx and 110 lx treatment groups than other treatments. However, the emergence rhythms in the three light intensity treatment groups are basically the same as in the control groups. The feeding amount and mating beetles in the three light intensity treatment groups were significantly lower than in the control groups. There were no significant differences in the three treatments. The results show that light stress above 10 lx significantly interferes with the behavioral activities of the two beetle species, investigated. This study provides a new approach for a light control technology for nocturnal beetle pest species. Keywords: yellow and green light, Anomala corpulenta Motschulsky, Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky, emergence rhythm, feeding, mating DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20231601.7639 Citation: Jiang Y L, Huang Q Y, Wei G S, Gong Z J, Li T, Miao J, et al. Effects of yellow and green light stress on emergence, feeding and mating of Anomala corpulenta Motschulsky and Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2023; 16(1): –.

An Investigation into the Nocturnal Moth Community within the Central Platte River Valley with a Focus on Erebidae and Sphingidae Species

An Investigation into the Nocturnal Moth Community within the Central Platte River Valley with a Focus on Erebidae and Sphingidae Species

Single Night Surveys of Moth Communities Can Serve as Ultra-Rapid Biodiversity Assessments.

Biodiversity conservation decisions are typically based on limited data and resources. For this reason, there is great interest in surveying taxa that may allow for a rapid assessment of the biodiversity at a site. Numerous taxa have been proposed and utilized for rapid assessments that allow for such a survey in a matter of weeks or less. Herein, we test the idea that nocturnal moths have many of the characteristics that make them ideal for such surveys, such as relative ease of identification, strong ecological association with specific plant species and habitats, high alpha diversity, extended seasonal activity, and ease of trapping. We demonstrate that even in a few hours of sampling during single night surveys, moth communities are predictive of regional forest types at sampling sites in New Jersey. We sampled moths in five different forest habitats in New Jersey, USA: Pine Barrens, Upland Deciduous Forest, Palustrine Deciduous Forest, Maritime Forest, and Ruderal/Disturbed Forests, at four sites per forest type. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analyses revealed that moth communities differ significantly across these four forest types (p < 0.01). We used Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) R tests to quantify the degree of differentiation among moth communities, and found that Tortricidae (R = 0.657) and Geometridae (R = 0.637) predict forest communities nearly as well as the total moth diversity (R = 0.668). Uncommon species (R = 0.665) were better predictors than common species (R = 0.500). Host plant generalists (R = 0.654) were better predictors than specialists (0.538), which was a surprising find.

Weather Sensitivity of Sugar Bait Trapping of Nocturnal Moths: A Case Study from Northern Europe.

Assemblages of insects need to be quantitatively sampled in the context of various research questions. Light trapping is the most widely used method for sampling nocturnal Lepidoptera. Attracting moths to sugar baits offers a viable alternative. However, this method is rarely used in professional research despite its popularity among amateur lepidopterists. As the activity of insects is strongly dependent on ambient conditions, the sensitivity of any trapping method to weather parameters needs to be known for the quantitative interpretation of trapping results. In the present paper, we report data on the weather dependence of moth catches obtained by automatic bait traps. The study was performed in Estonia, representing the European hemiboreal forest zone. Portable weather stations set up next to each of the traps were used for collecting weather data. Both abundance and diversity of the moths in the catches depended strongly positively on temperature and negatively on air humidity. Diversity was also negatively correlated with air pressure and positively with the change in pressure during the night. The results show that in situ recording of weather parameters in connection to insect trapping provides useful insights for the study of insect behaviour and the interpretation of the results of monitoring projects.

Diversity and Habitat Preferences of Moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in Indikadamukalana, a Lowland Wet Zone Forest in Sri Lanka

The moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of Sri Lanka have not been well studied and no comprehensive scientific study on their diversity has been carried out over the past 100 years. Thus, establishing species richness and diversity of moths in different habitats of the island is important. The present study was carried out to investigate moth species diversity and habitat factors which can affect moths in Indikadamukalana Forest Reserve situated in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. Moth diversity of the forest was investigated for a period of approximately seven months in 2018, where two habitat types as forest edge and within forest were studied. Transect line count method was used to sample diurnal moths and light traps were used to study nocturnal moths. Aerial nets and fruit-baited traps were used to improve the sampling efficiency. Weather parameters of the two habitat types were estimated using a potable weather station. A total of 138 moth species of 19 families were recorded, with forest edge habitat recording 18 families (91 species) and within the forest habitat recording 15 families (47 species). Crambidae and Erebidae were the most prominent families of moths found in both habitats of the forest. Gelechiidae was recorded only from within the forest habitat while Sphingidae, Hepialidae, Tortricidae and Bombycidae were recorded only from the forest edge habitat. Weather parameters between the two habitats did not depict a significant difference. Maintenance of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity hotspot status lies within the wet zone of the country. Thus, long term studies of moth communities of the wet zone are of vital importance

Pollinator sharing between reproductively isolated genetic lineages of Silene nutans.

High reciprocal pollination specialization leading to pollinator isolation can prevent interspecific pollen transfer and competition for pollinators. Sharing pollinators may induce mating costs, but it may also increase pollination services and pollen dispersal and offer more resources to pollinators, which may be important in case of habitat fragmentation leading to pollination disruption. We estimated pollen dispersal and pollinator isolation or sharing between two reproductively isolated genetic lineages of Silene nutans (Caryophyllaceae), which are rare and occur in parapatry in southern Belgium, forming two edaphic ecotypes. As inter-ecotypic crosses may lead to pollen wastage and inviable progeny, pollinator isolation might have evolved between ecotypes. Silene nutans is mainly pollinated by nocturnal moths, including nursery pollinators, which pollinate and lay their eggs in flowers, and whose caterpillars feed on flowers and seeds. Pollinator assemblages of the two ecotypes are largely unknown and inter-ecotypic pollen flows have never been investigated. Fluorescent powdered dyes were used as pollen analogues to quantify intra- and inter-ecotypic pollen transfers and seeds were germinated to detect chlorotic seedlings resulting from inter-ecotypic pollination. Nocturnal pollinators were observed using infrared cameras on the field, and seed-eating caterpillars were collected and reared to identify nursery pollinator species. No pollinator isolation was found: we detected long-distance (up to 5km) inter-ecotypic dye transfers and chlorotic seedlings, indicating inter-ecotypic fertilization events. The rare moth Hadena albimacula, a nursery pollinator specialized on S. nutans, was found on both ecotypes, as well as adults visiting flowers (cameras recordings) as seed-eating caterpillars. However, S. nutans populations harbor different abundance and diversity of seed predator communities, including other rare nursery pollinators, suggesting a need for distinct conservation strategies. Our findings demonstrate the efficiency of moths, especially of nursery pollinators, to disperse pollen over long distances in natural landscapes, so to ensure gene flow and population sustainability of the host plant. Seed-predator specificities between the two reproductively isolated genetic lineages of S. nutans, and pollinator sharing instead of pollinator isolation when plants occur in parapatry, suggest that conservation of the host plant is also essential for sustaining (rare) pollinator and seed predator communities.