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NOCTURNAL FLIGHT ACTIVITY OF MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA) IN ALPINE TUNDRA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Deborah M. Kendall ,
Peter G. Kevan  and
J. Donald LaFontaine
Deborah M. Kendall
Affiliation:
Biology Department, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A. 80907
Peter G. Kevan
Affiliation:
Biology Department, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A. 80907
J. Donald LaFontaine
Affiliation:
Biosystematics Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0C6
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Abstract

A blacklight trap was established at 3790 m in 1978 and at 3505 m, 3657 m, 3790 m, and 3810 m, in 1979, on the alpine tundra in Colorado. Weekly catches from 6 July to 4 August 1978, and 26 June to 14 September 1979, resulted in ca. 3500 individuals of over 48 species of moths. These results establish that a greater diversity of moths exists and greater nocturnal flight activity occurs than was previously supposed for alpine tundra communities. The implications for pollination and insect foraging are discussed.

Résumé

Un piège “Blacklight” a été installé à 3790 m en 1978, et à 3505 m, 3657 m, 3790 m et 3810 m en 1979, dans la toundra alpine au Colorado. Les captures hebdomadaires effectuées du 6 juillet au 4 août en 1978, et du 26 juin au 14 septembre en 1979, ont permis de récolter environ 3 500 individus appartenant à plus de 48 espèces de papillons de nuit. Ces résultats indiquent que les communautés de la toundra alpine montrent une plus grande diversité de papillons de nuit, et qu’on y observe une activité de vol nocturne plus élevée qu’on ne le croyait auparavant. Les implications de ces observations en ce qui concerne la pollinisation et les activités alimentaires des insectes sont abordées dans la discussion.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 113 , Issue 7 , July 1981 , pp. 607 - 614
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1981

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