2 research outputs found
Diversity patterns of hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in the canopy of an ombrophilous forest in Central Amazon, Brazil
Sphingidae attracted to light were systematically collected in an Amazonian forest canopy. Sampling occurred at a height of 34 m in an upland primary rainforest plateau in the Cueiras River basin, located within the Experimental Station of Tropical Silviculture, Manaus municipality, Amazonas, Brazil. The hawkmoths were collected using a vertical white sheet illuminated by a 250 W mixed mercury light and a 20 W black-light (BLB) fluorescent tube. Monthly collections were carried out from January to December 2004, during three nights of lunar transition from third quarter moon to new moon between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. We sampled 1748 specimens, represented by 1485 males and 263 females, belonging to 52 species and 21 genera. Xylophanes comprised the highest number of species (seven), followed by Erinnyis, with six species. The most abundant species were Pseudosphinx tetrio (169 specimens), Pachylia darceta (162), Erinnyis ello ello (154), Isognathus excelsior (151) and Callionima parce (139). The species accumulation curve showed that the species richness tended to stabilize by the eighth month. We also observed that species composition altered significantly throughout the night period. All presented hawkmoth records are new for the canopy in the central Amazon.Foram realizadas coletas sistemáticas de Sphingidae no dossel de floresta ombrĂłfila densa na AmazĂ´nia central utilizando-se armadilha luminosa. As coletas ocorreram em uma floresta primária de terra firme, na bacia do Rio Cuieiras, a 34 m de altura na torre da Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. Foi utilizado um lençol branco iluminado com uma lâmpada de luz mista de mercĂşrio e uma lâmpada de luz negra UV-BLB. As mariposas foram coletadas mensalmente durante o ano de 2004, em trĂŞs noites consecutivas de lua minguante e/ou lua nova, sempre das 18:00 Ă s 06:00h. Foram coletados 1748 espĂ©cimes, dos quais 769, por serem comuns, foram identificados, marcados e soltos. Foram obtidos 1485 machos e 263 fĂŞmeas, pertencentes a 21 gĂŞneros e 52 espĂ©cies. Xylophanes foi representado por sete espĂ©cies, seguido por Erinnyis com seis. As espĂ©cies mais abundantes foram Pseudosphinx tetrio (169 espĂ©cimes), Pachylia darceta (162), Erinnyis ello ello (154), Isognathus excelsior (151) e Callionima parce (139). A curva de acumulação de espĂ©cie mostrou que em torno do oitavo mĂŞs de coleta, a riqueza de espĂ©cies tendeu a estabilizar. Foi possĂvel observar ainda que a composição de esfingĂdeos mudou significativamente ao longo da noite. Todos os registros sĂŁo novos para o dossel de floresta na AmazĂ´nia central