The dataset for Holzhauer, Böttger, Bodesheim & Brehm (2026): Do camera light traps for moths provide similar data as conventional funnel light traps? can be accessed at Dryad: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m37pvmdgz

We provide: Raw data of each individual moth sampled in the surveys (CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_Individuals.csv), a compiled species list including information on German trivial names, status of endangerment, as well as the species number of the reference library (CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_SpeciesList.csv), and a table of all species photographed with species name and date/time (CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_Pictures.csv).

Descriptions

All individual specimens recorded in both trapping techniques are listed in CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_Individuals with all information on sampling event and taxonomy. For individuals that were only determined up to a species complex (mostly on the images), we provide the species name used in the analyses. Additionally, there is information on all individuals photographed. We provide the time of the first recording, and if a moth appeared on consecutive images (interval between images = 2 minutes), we consider these as one appearance. For these appearances, total durations are available.

All species handled in this survey are listed under CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_SpeciesList with specific information on endangerment in the province and nationwide, if listed in the respective so-called "red list" (Rote Liste). Each species name has information on the number in Steiner et al. (2014).

Images showing moths are listed in CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_Pictures with the exact timestamp of the photograph. All species photographed are represented as column names. If a species is photographed at a certain timepoint, we mark it accordingly.

CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_Individuals

• running: running number for filtering the individuals list in a default order
• traptype: sampling method
  • camera_light_trap = individuals sampled by the camera
  • vane_trap = individuals captured in the funnel trap equipped with vanes
• habitat: location of the trap
  • forest = a trap surrounded by trees
  • open_land = trap surrounded by grassland
• Date_start: start date of each trapping event. Trapping started in the evening and ended the next morning.
• Group: discrimination against Microlepidoptera, which are not included in the analyses
• Family: Currently valid taxonomic information for the family level
• Genus: Currently valid taxonomic information for genus level
• species: Currently valid taxonomic information for the species level
• species_name_for_analyses: information on species complexes. Individuals that could be determined to species level in one trap type but only to a complex in the other are assigned to a species complex for analyses
• Species_complex: boolean - Information on species complex
  • True = Individual assigned to species complex
  • False = Individual determined to species
• Observation_ID: unique identifier of each sampled individual in both funnel traps and appearances in consecutive camera data
• included_in_analyses: boolean - Information on individuals being included in analyses. Not included are all Microlepidoptera as well as Macrolepidoptera that are determined up to the genus level
  • True = Individual included in analyses
  • False = Individual not included
• count: always a "1" for data handling
• comparison: all funnel traps are compared with the corresponding camera light trap
• Appearance_start: only camera data: start time of the appearance of a moth
• Duration[min]: only camera data: duration of an appearance in minutes

CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_SpeciesList

• Group: discrimination against Microlepidoptera, which are not included in the analyses
• Family: Currently valid taxonomic information at the family level
• Genus: Currently valid taxonomic information at genus level
• species_name_for_analyses: information on species complexes. Individuals that could be determined to species level in one trap type but only to a complex in the other are assigned to a species complex for analyses
• Species_complex: boolean - Information on species complex
  • True = Individual assigned to species complex
  • False = Individual determined to species
• German common name: species name in German
• Author: information on valid taxonomic description
• red list status GER 2011: current endangerment status of a species in Germany
  • "*" = unthreatened
  • 1 = Critically endangered
  • 2 = Endangered
  • 3 = Vulnerable
  • not applicable = this species is not listed in the Red List
  • V = Pre-alert stage
• red list status NRW 20/21: current endangerment status of a species in North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • Details = see above
• red list status NRW 2010: endangerment status of a species in North Rhine-Westphalia by 2010
  • Details = see above
• # in Steiner et al (2014): species identities in Steiner et al. (2014): "Die Nachtfalter Deutschlands" (The moths of Germany). All individuals were determined using this book.

CameraLighTrapsVsTraditionalFunnelTraps_Pictures

• Date: Night of the recording of one individual moth
• Time: timestamp of the photograph, which shows one individual moth
• Date_Time: combination of Date and Time from above for increased usability
• speciesnames: entries of a species being present in a photo of a given time stamp