Open AccessDaily flight activity of moths in the continuous daylight of the arctic summer
Author(s) -
Dreisig Hans
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1981.tb00978.x
Subject(s) - daylight , subarctic climate , ecology , temperate climate , latitude , atmospheric sciences , arctic , acclimatization , biology , light intensity , environmental science , geography , geology , physics , optics , geodesy
The daily onset of flight and the lime of activity of moths were studied at an arctic and a subarctic locality in midsummer under natural light conditions but with all other factors kept constant. The daily variation of light intensity is much smaller than at temperate latitudes, and the illumination is continuously at levels that normally inhibit the activity of moths. In spite of this, the investigated species showed a distinct daily periodicity with the activity occurring at about the same time of day as in the same or related species from lower latitudes. It is suggested that this is the result of a process of acclimatization to high light intensities. A number of species show a diurnal activity pattern, and it is suggested that this is connected with their high temperature requirements. In the field, Anarta zetterstedti Staud. thermoregulates by settling frequently on dark rocks which can reach high temperatures when the sun is shining. This species can not fly unless its body temperature is above 30°C and it prefers an ambient temperature of about 36°C.