The influence of moonlight on catches of insects in light-traps in Africa. Part I. The moon and moonlight

Bowden, John

doi:10.1017/s0007485300050926

Cited by 57 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…The data presented in the figure indicate higher response in descending phase as compared to the ascending one during both the years. BOWDEN and CHURCH (1973), BOWDEN and MORRIS (1975) and VAISHAMPAYAN and VERMA (1982) are also in favour of such a lunar effect and supported the hypothesis that the 360 Ahbzjert Nug and PLirus Nath reduction in trap catches o n full m o o n is purely a physical phenomenon. TAYLOR and BROWN (1972) however, did n o t support this theory.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 73%

Effect of moon light and lunar periodicity on the light trap catches of cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) moths

Nag

Nath

1991

J Applied Entomology

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The effect of moon light and lunar periodicity on the light trap catches of cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) was studied during the active periods of 1986/87 and 1987/88 at Agriculture Research Farm of the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. In the light traps a mercury vapour electric bulb of 160 watt was used as the source of light. The moths caught in the traps were correlated with the light illumination of different days of a lunar cycle and it showed that trap catches were consistently very low on moonlit nights around full moon. The significant linear and negative correlation between degree of moon phase and light trap catches was observed. On an average, the response was higher in descending phase (full moon to no moon) as compared to the ascending phase (no moon to full moon). Zusammenfassung Wirkung des Mondlichtes und der Mondphase auf die Lichtfallenfänge von Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.)‐Faltern Die Untersuchungen wurden in den beiden Aktivitätsperioden 1986/87 und 1987/88 an der Agriculture Research Farm der Banares‐Hindu‐Universität in Varanasi, Indien, durchgeführt. Die Lichtfallen waren mit 160‐Watt‐Quecksilberdampflampen versehen. Die Zahl der gefangenen Falter wurde zum Mondlicht in den verschiedenen Phasen des Mondzyklus in Beziehung gesetzt. Dabei zeigte sich, daß die Fallenfänge durchweg in Mondnächten um den Vollmond herum sehr gering waren. Es bestand eine lineare negative Korrelation zwischen der Mondphase und dem Lichtfallenfang‐Ergebnis. Der Fallenfang war eindeutig in der abnehmenden Mondphase stärker und in der zunehmenden geringer.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 73%

Effect of moon light and lunar periodicity on the light trap catches of cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) moths

Nag

Nath

1991

J Applied Entomology

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“…Four climatic variables (Table 1b) were provided by a local weather station and five lunar variables (Table 1b) were estimated for the night preceding the survey day, using moon phases and the rise and set times of the sun and moon from records held at the US Naval Observatory (http://aa.usno.navy.mil). The intensity of light reflected from the moon is a non‐linear function of the proportion of the moon's disc that is illuminated (Bowden 1973). For each increment of moon phase this relationship was used to estimate the intensity of light reflected (expressed as a proportion of the intensity of the light reflected at full moon).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Winter field use and habitat selection by Eurasian Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria and Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus on arable farmland

Gillings

Fuller

Sutherland

2007

Ibis

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Eurasian Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria and Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus winter in large numbers on Britain's farmland. Previous studies in mixed farming areas showed pronounced preferences for permanent pasture, but increasing numbers of plovers winter in eastern Britain where arable farmland dominates. We show that an area of intensive arable farmland supported significant numbers of both species from October to February in the absence of large areas of pasture. Habitat use varied seasonally as the habitats present changed. Throughout winter, use of cereal crops matched their availability: plovers selected harrow in early winter, sugar beet stubbles in midwinter and other crops in late winter. Pastures were rarely used at any time of the year. Flocks occupied only a fraction of the available fields, concentrating most in large fields with open boundaries and where manure had been applied. Daytime feeding was more likely during cold days after nights with a new moon, short duration of moonlight or low‐intensity moonlight. These results show that plovers are currently able to utilize intensive arable farmland but future changes in management, such as cessation of manure applications and reductions in sugar beet cropping, could have detrimental effects.

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“…There are a number of reports in the literature on the effects of moonlight on insect flight activity (Williams, 1936;Provost, 1959;Bowden & Church, 1973;Bowden & Gibbs, 1973) mostly related to light trap catches of Lepidoptera. For many species the period around full moon has been shown to be associated with reduced catches, partly due to changes in effectiveness of the trap but also due to inhibition of flight by moonlight.…”

Section: Effect O F Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diurnal periodicity of fight in some Delphacidae and Cicadellidae associated with rice

Perfect

Cook

1982

Ecological Entomology

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1. The diurnal periodicity of flight of delphacids and cicadellids associated with rice was assessed by suction trapping.2. All the delphacids examined and most cicadellids showed a bimodal, crepuscular pattern of flight, the major peak occurring in the evening.3. Some cicadellids showed a unimodal crepuscular pattern of flight activity with the peak occurring in the evening, whereas flight activity of Cofana spectra and Cunimaculata continued throughout the night. Changes in the periodicity of flight activity of Nilaparvata lugens, Sogatella jkrcqera, Recilia dorsalis and Macrosteles stnvrons were observed in relation tophases of the moon and the nature of the habitat. 5. Periodicity of take-off for N.lugens, Sfircifera and R-dorsalis assessed by canopy net traps also showed a bimodal, crepuscular pattern with the major peak occurring in the evening. 6. The significance of diurnal periodicity is discussed in relation to the flight behaviour of the insects studied.

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The influence of moonlight on catches of insects in light-traps in Africa. Part I. The moon and moonlight

Abstract: An account is presented of the distribution and amounts of moonlight in latitudes near the equator.

Cited by 57 publications

References 12 publications

Effect of moon light and lunar periodicity on the light trap catches of cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) moths

Effect of moon light and lunar periodicity on the light trap catches of cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) moths

Winter field use and habitat selection by Eurasian Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria and Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus on arable farmland

Diurnal periodicity of fight in some Delphacidae and Cicadellidae associated with rice

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