Purdue University - Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources
Got Nature? Blog
Photo Credit: Katja Schulz, flickr.com
A lepidopterist from the Florida Museum of Natural History has made a shocking discovery regarding moth behavior. Dr. Andrei Sourakov noted a dozen or so black Idia moths resting inside a hollow tree. This species, and most other moth species is typically solitary as opposed to social species like bees and ants. He went on to discover groups of as many as 400 individuals each oriented facing north (the top of the tree) and tucked away form the light. Both males and females rested quietly, each spaced away form the first reported example of moths gathering in a large group on a daily basis, similar to the roosting observed in bats, a primary predator of moths.
Photo Credit: Katja Schulz, flickr.com
Photo Credit: Collin Gillette, flickr.com
Dr. Sourakov also noted that the moths do not have a preference for tree type as they have been observed in sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and southern red oak (Quercus falcata) trees in Florida. It is suspected that a single moth finds a hollow tree and releases sex hormones to inform nearby moths where to assemble. As no mating has been observed at the location, these moths respond to the pheromone lure but do not act on a any perceived sexual stimulus.
References:
Andrei Sourakov. Mass aggregations of Idia moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) inside hollow trees in Florida. Tropical Lepidoptera Research, 2018 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1309644
Online Article: Florida Museum of Natural History. “Hollow trees host massive moth slumber parties.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 July 2018.
Resources:
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiement (HEE) Highlights: Moths, video, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources Got Nature? Blog
Gypsy Moth (Spongy Moth) website, Purdue Extension-Entomology
Gypsy Moth – Indiana Department of Natural Resources
The Gypsy Moth in Indiana – The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Shaneka Lawson, USDA Forest Service/HTIRC Research Plant Physiologist/Adjunct Assistant Professor
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
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