Moon phase and other factors affecting light-trap catches of culicoides brevitarsis kieffer (diptera: ceratopopgonidae)

摘要

Light-trap catches of Culicoides brevitarsis were affected by the phase of the moon with least being caught at the full moon. Seasonal catches were also influenced by temperature and windspeed. Conversely, changes in moonlight overnight at the full moon bad no obvious effect on the species capture in light traps. Nightly catches were mainly influenced by temperature when the effect of windspeed was negated. Differences related to moon phase were mots likely the result of alterations to the effectivelimit of attrraction of traps induced by competition with moonlight. This and the other factors would make it difficult to interpret and compare numbers of C. brevitarsis caught in light traps at different times and locations.