The influence of moonlight on catches of insects in light-traps in Africa. Part II. The effect of moon phase on light-trap catches

Abstract

Nightly light-trap catches of insects, covering periods of 2–5 years, from two sites in Africa within 10° of the equator are examined in relation to the regular changes in night illumination of the lunar cycle. For several species average log catches at different phases of the moon are almost linearly related to (log) night illumination, catches of some species, such as Isoptera and Bostrychidae, increasing and of others, such as Marasmia trapezalis(Gn.) (Pyralidae), Lampyridae and Dorylus spp. (Formicidae), decreasing with moonlight. Relative catches of M. trapezalis and Bostrychidae varied by a factor of 30:1 between no moon and full moon. Analysis of whole-night catches gives some evidence on the pattern of insect activity through the night, identifying Syntomis monothyris (Hmps.) (Ctenuchidae) and Stemorrhages sericea (Dru.) (Pyralidae) in particular as early morning fliers. Evidence on how night illumination affects catch, and on the times of night when illumination has most effect, is consistent for the two sites and for different years. However, any adjustment of nightly catches to those expected under standard conditions of illumination can only be approximate. Although most of the differences between catches at different moon phases are accounted for by night illumination, many factors influence catch on an individual night, and moonlight is a major factor only for certain species. A hypothesis about how a light-trap may affect insect behaviour allows changes in catch of some species over the lunar cycle to be explained by the influence of background illumination on trap effectiveness.