Moth Declines – Why We Need Moth Week

Elena — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 01:32:15 +0000

David Wagner – one of our sponsors and the author of Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History – recently published a journal article on moth decline in the Northeastern United States in News of the Lepidopterists’ Society. This paper joins several out of the UK (Thomas 2005; Conrad et al 2006) addressing the decline of moths around the world.

Dr. Wagner reports diminished numbers of moths, particularly the larger saturniids and sphingids. These declines are supported by anecdotal reports from many collectors throughout Wagner’s home state of Connecticut, where 65 Lepidoptera species are thought to be extirpated.

Decreases in moth abundance can be attributed to habitat loss (particularly loss of early successional habitats), development, overgrazing by deer and climate change. Light pollution may also play a role in declines but this factor has not yet been experimentally supported.

Additionally, parasitic flies such as Compsilura concinnata that were introduced to control pest species like gypsy moths (Limantria dispar) and brown-tail moths (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) also prey on native and non-pest species as well.

The bottom line is that more data are needed, particularly from long term monitoring studies to really document observed declines in moth species.

References:

Conrad K.F, M.S. Warren, R. Fox, M.S. Parsons, and I.P. Woiwod. 2006. Rapid declines of common, widespread British moths provide evidence of an insect biodiversity crisis. Biological Conservation 132: 279-291.

Thomas J.A. 2005. Monitoring change in the abundance and distribution of insects using butterﬂies and other indicator groups. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 360: 339–357.

Wagner, DL. 2012. Moth decline in the Northeastern United States. News of the Lepidopterists’ Society 54(2): 52-56.

Win a Book for Participating In National Moth Week – update

Liti — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:40:56 +0000

National Moth Week has teamed up with leading nature-writers to give participants a unique opportunity to win a signed copy of their books. Click here for details. A list and information of the books was published here [and see a list below].

We recently obtained a copy of WJ Holland’s that will also be offered as a prize.

The Moth Book: A Popular Guide to a Knowledge of the Moths of North America
This book, first published in 1903 and written by W.J. Holland, is one of the most classic moth books ever written. Despite outdated scientific nomenclature for many species and poor quality plates, this book still belongs on every “moth’ers” bookshelf. It features a great deal of interesting natural history information as well as many entries and chapters about how to find and attract moths.

Seabrooke Leckie – Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America

John Himmelman – Discovering Moths: Nighttime Jewels in Your Own Backyard

Dave Wagner – Caterpillars of Eastern North America

Dave Wagner – Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America

Jim Arnosky – Crinkleroot’s

We also have copies of these books:

Guide to Knowing Butterflies and Moths
Rare, Declining, and Poorly Known Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) of Forests and Woodlands in the Eastern United States.

Butterflies and Moths of Pacific Northwest Forests and Woodlands: Rare, Endangered, and Management-Sensitive Species.

David Wagner – National Moth Week

Moth Declines – Why We Need Moth Week

Win a Book for Participating In National Moth Week – update