Using meteorological and lunar information to explain catch variability of Orthoptera and Lepidoptera from 250 W Farrow light traps

Abstract

1. Farrow light traps have been used in Australia since the 1970s to monitor locusts only, but catch variability has not been explained. Four light traps were operated at North Bourke, northern New South Wales, to study catch variability.2. Habitat did not influence catch composition (non-metric multidimensional scaling ⁄ analyses of similarity) or similarity. Assemblages of Orthoptera differed only modestly between December and March, whereas assemblages of macrolepidoptera differed strongly between December, March and April.3. Twenty-two species of Orthoptera were caught and seven analysed. Kruskal-Wallis ranking tests showed that the largest catches of a species of cricket were obtained when the dominant wind direction was from the SE, whereas the largest catches of three acridid species were obtained when the wind was from the NW. Catch variability of two acridids could be explained by temperature (Generalised linear models); the smallest acridid by wind speed and of the cricket and two acridids by moon surface illumination (K).4. Eighty-two species of macrolepidoptera were identified and 17 analysed. The largest catches of a noctuid were obtained when the wind was from the SW; an oenosandrid was only caught when the wind was from the SE or NE. Catch variability of two noctuids, an arctiid and an oenosandrid could be explained by temperature; three noctuids, an arctiid, a cossid and a psychid by relative humidity; a noctuid by wind speed; and two noctuids and two oenosandrids by K. 5. To facilitate comparisons of catches and interpret long-term population trends, catch variability should be standardised for meteorological ⁄ lunar conditions.

Camera transects as a method to monitor high temporal and spatial ephemerality of flying nocturnal insects

“…For example, emerging adults of insects with aquatic larvae redistribute nutrients from freshwater to terrestrial systems (reviewed in Prather et al, ). To understand the activity and abundance of flying insects, many factors such as life cycles, seasonality, swarming behaviour, mass emergences, weather conditions, habitat type or even moon phase (Nylin & Gotthard, ; Steinbauer, Haslem, & Edwards, ; Sumpter, ) have to be taken into consideration. This is important as the resulting variation in time and duration of insect occurrence in turn influences insectivorous predators.…”

The phototactic rhythm of pests for the Solar Insecticidal Lamp: A review

“…The phototactic rhythm of pests are influenced by some factors, such as meteorological conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, precipitation, light intensity), insecticidal devices(e.g., wavelength and height of insecticidal devices), physiological states (e.g., sex, age, and dark adaptation), and others(e.g., crop varieties, and natural enemies) ( Steinbauer et al., 2012 ; Van et al., 2014 ; Carayon et al., 2014 ; Affrin et al., 2017 ; Owens and Lewis, 2018 ).…”

Native Defoliators of Australian Mediterranean Forest Trees

“…15.1e ) have been observed by MJS resting on E. dumosa in Murray Sunset National Park, south-western Victoria, while nymphs of G. australasiae (Leach) have been observed in leaf litter in Bronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve. Both Slender gumleaf grasshopper ( G. vocans ) and Gumleaf grasshopper ( G. australasiae ) are probably among the more common members of a suite of nocturnal orthopteran herbivores of mallee and other eucalypt species in both western and eastern parts of the country (Rentz et al 2003 ;Steinbauer et al . 2012 ).…”