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A preliminary study of insect abundance on West Island, Aldabra Atoll, Indian Ocean
Author(s) -
FRITH DAWN W.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
transactions of the royal entomological society of london
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0035-8894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2311.1975.tb00571.x
Subject(s) - atoll , abundance (ecology) , ecology , relative species abundance , lepidoptera genitalia , vegetation (pathology) , hemiptera , biology , geography , medicine , pathology , reef
SUMMARY1 Heath and Rothamsted light traps and a Johnson‐Taylor suction trap were used to sample flying insects on Aldabra Atoll. 2 The present study extended over two wet seasons. The pattern of relative monthly insect activity resembled the rainfall pattern. Catches were greatest during the months when there was a sudden marked increase in precipitation. 3 Lepidoptera dominated light trap catches and Diptera suction trap catches, the total monthly insect numbers therefore reflecting the abundance of these two orders. Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were also common. 4 Predominant families were represented by only a few or even only one dominant species. These species were present throughout the study period although their monthly totals varied considerably, different species dominating the catches during different months. 5 The composition and size of catches in the three light traps was affected by the type of light source and surrounding vegetation. 6 A comprehensive list of families and selected common species is given with their relative monthly abundance in the light traps. 7 Suction trap catches were segregated on an hourly basis to give a broad indication of insect flight periodicity.