Sex-Specific Attraction of Moth Species to Ultraviolet Light Traps

Garris, Heath W.; Snyder, John A.

doi:10.1656/058.009.0302

Cited by 21 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Depending on its placement, ALAN may also impede the movement of insects among habitat patches, lure them into bodies of water, or divert them into traffic (Frank, ). Insects not killed immediately may become trapped in a “light sink,” unable to forage (Langevelde, Grunsven, et al, ), search for mates, or reproduce—especially when different sexes are disproportionately attracted to ALAN, as is the case for many moth species (Altermatt, Baumeyer, & Ebert, ; Altermatt & Ebert, ; Degen et al, ; Frank, ; Garris & Snyder, ; see also Farnworth et al, ). Ecological traps that result in mortality or reproductive failure are predicted to lead to rapid population decline and ultimately extinction (Kokko & Sutherland, ; Robertson, Rehage, & Sih, ).…”

Section: Attractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

Owens

Lewis

2018

Ecology and Evolution

266

201

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In recent decades, advances in lighting technology have precipitated exponential increases in night sky brightness worldwide, raising concerns in the scientific community about the impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) on crepuscular and nocturnal biodiversity. Long‐term records show that insect abundance has declined significantly over this time, with worrying implications for terrestrial ecosystems. The majority of investigations into the vulnerability of nocturnal insects to artificial light have focused on the flight‐to‐light behavior exhibited by select insect families. However, ALAN can affect insects in other ways as well. This review proposes five categories of ALAN impact on nocturnal insects, highlighting past research and identifying key knowledge gaps. We conclude with a summary of relevant literature on bioluminescent fireflies, which emphasizes the unique vulnerability of terrestrial light‐based communication systems to artificial illumination. Comprehensive understanding of the ecological impacts of ALAN on diverse nocturnal insect taxa will enable researchers to seek out methods whereby fireflies, moths, and other essential members of the nocturnal ecosystem can coexist with humans on an increasingly urbanized planet.

show abstract

Section: Attractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

Owens

Lewis

2018

Ecology and Evolution

266

201

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The degree of attraction and preferred wavelengths both vary between moth taxa (Merckx & Slade, 2014); typically, larger-bodied moths with larger eyes are more likely to be attracted to light dominated by smaller wavelengths (van Langevelde et al, 2011; Somers-Yeates et al, 2013). Variation also appears to exist between sexes; males of some species are significantly more likely to be recorded at light traps than females (Garris & Snyder, 2010), but it is not clear if this is due to stronger male attraction to lights, or males being more active and therefore more likely to move into the zone of influence of a given light (Altermatt et al, 2009). …”

Section: Established Effects Of Artificial Light On Mothsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollination by nocturnal Lepidoptera, and the effects of light pollution: a review

Macgregor

Pocock

Fox

et al. 2014

Ecological Entomology

234

223

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

1. Moths (Lepidoptera) are the major nocturnal pollinators of flowers. However, their importance and contribution to the provision of pollination ecosystem services may have been under-appreciated. Evidence was identified that moths are important pollinators of a diverse range of plant species in diverse ecosystems across the world.2. Moth populations are known to be undergoing significant declines in several European countries. Among the potential drivers of this decline is increasing light pollution. The known and possible effects of artificial night lighting upon moths were reviewed, and suggest how artificial night lighting might in turn affect the provision of pollination by moths. The need for studies of the effects of artificial night lighting upon whole communities of moths was highlighted.3. An ecological network approach is one valuable method to consider the effects of artificial night lighting upon the provision of pollination by moths, as it provides useful insights into ecosystem functioning and stability, and may help elucidate the indirect effects of artificial light upon communities of moths and the plants they pollinate.4. It was concluded that nocturnal pollination is an ecosystem process that may potentially be disrupted by increasing light pollution, although the nature of this disruption remains to be tested.

show abstract

“…Entomologists have taken advantage of insects' positive phototaxis by using light traps to survey nocturnal insects. In most studies using light traps, the sex ratios in attracted moth species were male biased (for more detail see Altermatt, Baumeyer & Ebert ; Garris & Snyder ; Truxa & Fiedler ). Most of these studies do not have sound estimates for the actual sex ratio of the underlying population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Street lighting: sex‐independent impacts on moth movement

Degen

Mitesser

Perkin

et al. 2016

Journal of Animal Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Artificial lights have become an integral and welcome part of our urban and peri-urban environments. However, recent research has highlighted the potentially negative ecological consequences of ubiquitous artificial light. In particular, insects, especially moths, are expected to be negatively impacted by the presence of artificial lights. Previous research with light traps has shown a male-biased attraction to light in moths. In this study, we sought to determine whether street lights could limit moth dispersal and whether there was any sex bias in attraction to light. More specifically, we aimed to determine sex-specific attraction radii for moths to street lights. We tested these hypotheses by collecting moths for 2 years at an experimental set-up. To estimate the attraction radii, we developed a Markov model and related it to the acquired data. Utilizing multinomial statistics, we found that attraction rates to lights in the middle of the matrix were substantially lower than predicted by the null hypothesis of equal attraction level (0·44 times). With the Markov model, we estimated that a corner light was 2·77 times more attractive than a wing light with an equivalentre attraction radius of c. 23 m around each light. We found neither sexual differences in the attraction rate nor in the attraction radius of males and females. Since we captured three times more males than females, we conclude that sex ratios are representative of operational sex ratios or of different flight activities. These results provide evidence for street lights to limit moth dispersal, and that they seem to act equally on male and female moths. Consequently, public lighting might divide a suitable landscape into many small habitats. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume (i) that public lighting near hedges and bushes or field margins reduces the quality of these important habitat structures and (ii) that public lighting may affect moth movement between patches.

show abstract

Sex-Specific Attraction of Moth Species to Ultraviolet Light Traps

Cited by 21 publications

References 12 publications

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

Pollination by nocturnal Lepidoptera, and the effects of light pollution: a review

Street lighting: sex‐independent impacts on moth movement

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About