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Flight periodicity and the vertical distribution of high-altitude moth migration over southern Britain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2009

C.R. Wood ,
D.R. Reynolds ,
P.M. Wells ,
J.F. Barlow ,
I.P. Woiwod  and
J.W. Chapman
C.R. Wood*
Affiliation:
Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, RG6 6BB, UK Rothamsted Radar Entomology Unit, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
D.R. Reynolds
Affiliation:
Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK
P.M. Wells
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Radar Entomology Unit, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
J.F. Barlow
Affiliation:
Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, RG6 6BB, UK
I.P. Woiwod
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Radar Entomology Unit, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
J.W. Chapman
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Radar Entomology Unit, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: +44 118 378 8905 E-mail: c.r.wood@reading.ac.uk
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Abstract

The continuous operation of insect-monitoring radars in the UK has permitted, for the first time, the characterization of various phenomena associated with high-altitude migration of large insects over this part of northern Europe. Previous studies have taken a case-study approach, concentrating on a small number of nights of particular interest. Here, combining data from two radars, and from an extensive suction- and light-trapping network, we have undertaken a more systematic, longer-term study of diel flight periodicity and vertical distribution of macro-insects in the atmosphere. Firstly, we identify general features of insect abundance and stratification, occurring during the 24-hour cycle, which emerge from four years' aggregated radar data for the summer months in southern Britain. These features include mass emigrations at dusk and, to a lesser extent, at dawn and daytime concentrations associated with thermal convection. We then focus our attention on the well-defined layers of large nocturnal migrants that form in the early evening, usually at heights of 200–500 m above ground. We present evidence from both radar and trap data that these nocturnal layers are composed mainly of noctuid moths, with species such as Noctua pronuba, Autographa gamma, Agrotis exclamationis, A. segetum, Xestia c-nigrum and Phlogophora meticulosa predominating.

Keywords

insect layersaerial migrationentomological radarnoctuid mothsflight periodicity
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 99 , Issue 5 , October 2009 , pp. 525 - 535
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Cambridge University Press

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