Diel activity pattern of a nocturnal moth, Zeiraphera canadensis, in nature

Abstract

The spruce bud moth, Zeiraphera canadensis Mutt & Free. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), displayed a bimodal activity pattern in two young white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, plantations. During the day, when temperatures were highest and relative humidities lowest, most moths remained in the lower crown, presumably in response to the risk of hygrothermal stress and/or predation. Flight activity peaks occurred near dawn and dusk. Moths moved higher in the crowns shortly after sunset and many were observed flying above the tree canopy. This activity peak was associated with oviposition and mating. Oviposition started at sunset and continued for approximately 3 h. Females probed oviposition sites with their ovipositor before ovipositing, suggesting that they use sensillae on the ovipositor to evaluate potential oviposition sites. Most mating occurred between 22:00 and 04:00 h. Males hovered adjacent to branches containing females before alighting. After alighting, males usually approached to within 2–5 cm of females and then remained motionless for a short time before attempting mounting, indicating that some short‐range communication usually occurs prior to mating. Reduced flight activity between midnight and dawn was not due to low temperatures, which were above the minimal temperatures for flight for males (10 °C) and females (12 °C) determined in the laboratory.

Seasonal and daily activity patterns of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in the Canadian prairies

“…In addition, activity patterns may vary with socio-ecological constraints such as mating (Quiring, 1994), competition (Hughes, Ward & Penin, 1994), foraging efficiency (Larivii%e, Huot & Samson, 1994), predation risk (Lima & Dill, 1990;Hughes, Ward & Perrin, 1994), resource availability (Lovari, Valier & Ricci Lucchi, 1994), resource quality (Kabigumila, 1993), and prey vulnerability (Messier, Taylor & Ramsay, 1992).…”

Hanging in the treetops: an in situ experiment in ancient hemlock assessing outbreak defoliator performance among crown levels

“…Although foliage may be found throughout the crown, the branch tips and upper crown are the most open to sunlight and, compared with the crown interior, tend to provide warmer microclimates and more nutritious foliage for herbivores (White, ; Dudt & Shure, ; Fortin & Mauffette, ; Osier & Jennings, ). However, insect herbivores foraging in open parts of the crown may also be more exposed to natural enemies (Eikenbary & Fox, ; Weseloh, ; Kemp & Simmons, ; Jennings & Houseweart, ; Aikens & Buddle, ) or extreme weather (Quiring, ; Bento et al ., ; Johns et al ., ). These competing selective pressures are likely to play a central role in shaping how, when, and where both predators and herbivores forage within trees (Denno & McClure, ).…”

“…Jennings, 2007). However, insect herbivores foraging in open parts of the crown may also be more exposed to natural enemies (Eikenbary & Fox, 1968;Weseloh, 1972;Kemp & Simmons, 1978;Jennings & Houseweart, 1983;Aikens & Buddle, 2012) or extreme weather (Quiring, 1994;Bento et al, 2001;Johns et al, 2012). These competing selective pressures are likely to play a central role in shaping how, when, and where both predators and herbivores forage within trees (Denno & McClure, 1983).…”

Effects of mobility on daily attraction to light traps: comparison between lepidopteran and coleopteran communities

“…The daily variation in insects collected is therefore considered to mainly reflect changes in flight activity caused by weather conditions (Muirhead‐Thomson, 1991), which has been demonstrated by comparisons between direct census counts and light trap captures (Riley et al. , 1992; Quiring, 1994). On the other hand, few studies have directly addressed the effects of weather factors on the abundance or species richness of Coleoptera captured by light traps (Rodriguez‐Del‐Bosque & Magallanesestala, 1994; Rodriguez‐Del‐Bosque, 1998).…”

“…Trap efficiency for Lepidoptera is positively correlated with temperature and the thickness of cloud cover, and negatively correlated with wind speed, precipitation, and the fullness of the moon on the trap night (Bowden, 1982;Dent & Pawar, 1988;Yela & Holyoak, 1997;Butler et al, 1999). The daily variation in insects collected is therefore considered to mainly reflect changes in flight activity caused by weather conditions (Muirhead-Thomson, 1991), which has been demonstrated by comparisons between direct census counts and light trap captures (Riley et al, 1992;Quiring, 1994). On the other hand, few studies have directly addressed the effects of weather factors on the abundance or species richness of Coleoptera captured by light traps (Rodriguez-Del-Bosque & Magallanesestala, 1994;Rodriguez-Del-Bosque, 1998).…”