Larger and polymorphic noctuid moths tend to show less inter-annual abundance variation in the canopy of a temperate forest
Data files
Jul 21, 2025 version files 617.52 KB
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MothDataFULL_Dryad.csv
602.22 KB
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NoctuidMothComparativeDataPoland_Dryad.csv
7.33 KB
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README.md
7.96 KB
Abstract
Inter-annual variation in insect abundance and seasonal phenology can be related to species traits such as body size, larval diet, overwintering stage, and colour variations. We sampled noctuid moths in the canopy of a forest in Western Poland using flight-interception traps during two vegetative seasons. We calculated inter-annual variation for 31 species, and the date of peak abundance and the length of the flight season for 18 species. We found that for the 23 species for which we had phylogenetic information, larger moths and those with adult colour variation showed less inter-annual abundance variation, which corroborates results of previous studies. We found no indication that phenological traits are associated with the tested species traits. However, species that can feed on the dominant broad-leaved tree in which the traps were placed (Quercus petraea) tended to have a later date of peak abundance than other species. To draw more robust conclusions, future research should encompass a longer time span and a broader range of species.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.d7wm37qcv
Description of the data and file structure
To obtain body size data, we measured the forewing length and thorax width of up to ten individuals of each species. We used specimens from our traps whenever possible, but completed the data using other specimens collected in the region. We then calculated wing loading as wing length2/thorax width3. To obtain information on larval diet, overwintering stage, feeding period, and migratory behaviour, we used authoritative websites (Wagner, 2024; Lepiforum, 2020; Jonko, 2020). Polymorphism was defined as the presence of multiple, discrete variants (or morphs) within a single population, the rarest of which is too common to be solely due to recurrent mutation (McLean and Stuart-Fox, 2014; Gray and McKinnon, 2007; Ford, 1945). Our assessment of polymorphism was based on our own catches of moths, mainly in Central Europe, and reflects the range of variability documented in the literature for the entire European range of the species (Lepiforum, 2020). A prominent example in our sample is the large yellow underwing Noctua pronuba (Linnaeus, 1758), which exhibits a wide range of colour forms (Cook and Sarsam, 1981). Another example is the dark arches Apamea monoglypha(Hufnagel, 1766), which has light and dark colour forms (Askew et al., 1971). Larval diet was parsed in four ways. First, we distinguished species by their ability to feed on oak trees (the tree species in which traps were hung) as specialists of oak, generalists including oak, or non-oak feeding. Secondly, we classified moths as specialists, oligophagous, generalists, or grass-feeding. Third, we classified them by growth form (tree, herb, tree & herb, grass). Finally, we classified them based on food type: leaves, roots, or stems. The overwintering stage was classified as egg, larva, pupa, or adult. Larval feeding period was classified as spring, summer, autumn, and combinations thereof, or the entire growth season. Whether a species is known to migrate or to have extensive adult colour variation within populations was coded as yes or no.
Files and variables
Data
NoctuidMothComparativeDataPoland_Dryad.csv has information about 31 species of moth.
MothDataFULL_Dryad.csv has a line for each individual.
Missing data are indicated with 'n/a'. This can occur when there is, for example, no comment for a data line, when there is no data because the species was too rare, or when a label was partly illegible.
NoctuidMothComparativeDataPoland
| Variable | Explanation |
|---|---|
| No | a number to order |
| Spec | species name |
| Y_2019 | Abundance in 2019 |
| Y_2020 | Abundance in 2020 |
| year_to_year_variation | interannual variation as 1-(minimum/maximum) |
| OakDiet | whether the caterpillars feed on oak |
| mean_TW | mean Thorax width (mm) |
| mean_FWL | mean forewing length (mm) |
| mean_WATV | mean wing loading (wing area/thorax volume) |
| DietSpecialization | degree of dietary specialization |
| PlantForm | plant form on which caterpillars feed |
| FoodType | part of plant on which caterpillars feed |
| OverwinteringStage | overwintering stage, no = overwintering in mediteranean!) |
| FeedigPeriodSimple | when caterpillars feed in a few categories |
| FeedingPeriod | when caterpillars feed in detail |
| colourPolymorhism | if an adult shows multiple color forms |
| Migrant | if species shows migrations or mass dispersals |
| First_Above_Zero2019 | first day the curve is above 0 in 2019 |
| First_Above_Zero2020 | first day the curve is above 0 in 2020 |
| Average_First_Above_Zero | average of the above compared to March 1st. |
| Last_Above_Zero2019 | last day the curve is above 0 in 2019 |
| Last_Above_Zero2020 | last day the curve is above 0 in 2020 |
| Max_Abundance_Date2019 | date of peak abundance in 2019 |
| Max_Abundance_Date2020 | date of peak abundance in 2020 |
| Max_Abundance2019 | height of peak of the curve in 2019 |
| Max_Abundance2020 | height of peak of the curve in 2020 |
| LengthFlightSeasonNUM2019 | length of the flight season in 2019 in days |
| LengthFlightSeasonNUM2020 | length of the flight season in 2020 in days |
| AvFlightSeason | average length of the flight season |
| Days_Since_March12019 | date of peak abundance in 2019 compared to March 1st (in days) |
| Av_Days_Since_March1 | average timing of peak abundance compared to March 1st in days |
| Days_Since_March1_2020 | date of peak abundance in 2020 compared to March 1st (in days) |
MothDataFULL_Dryad
| Unique ID number | |
|---|---|
| Trap | Trap number indicating top and bottom collectors |
| Date | Date of trap servicing |
| CorrectDate | Format of date and typos corrected |
| CorrectSimple | Date assigned to trap servicing = middle of period if it took multiple days |
| Count | number of individuals (always 1) |
| Genus | genus of the moth |
| Species | species of the moth |
| Spec | Genus_species |
| Sex | male or female if known (dissected specimens) |
| Y | year of collection |
| Family | Moth family |
| Comments | comments |
| Qstaple | if the moth uses oak as a staple larval food |
| Qalt | If the moth can occasionally feed on oak |
| TrapNo | Trap number |
| Top_Bot | top (T) or bottom (B) collector |
Code/software
Data can be used in e.g., Excel or R programs.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- n/a
Data was derived from the following sources:
- n/a