SEASONALSEASONAL DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION ANDAND SEXSEX RATIORATIO OFOF MESAPAMEAMESAPAMEA STORAISTORAI (REBEL),(REBEL), PHLOGOPHORAPHLOGOPHORA METICULOSAMETICULOSA (L.)(L.) ANDAND SESAMIASESAMIA NONAGRIOIDESNONAGRIOIDES (LEFEBVRE)(LEFEBVRE) (:(LEPIDOPTERA: ) NOCTUIDAE) FROM FROM SÃO SAO MIGUELMIGUEL (A(AZORES)ZORES)

MICHAELMICHAEL SILVA, SILVA, JOÃO JOAO TATAVARESV ARES && VIRGÍLVIRG~IOIO VIEIRAVIEIRA

SILVA,SILVA, MICHAEL,MICHAEL, JOÃOJOAO TAVARESTAVARES && VIRGÍLIO VIRG~LIO VIEIRAVIEIRA 1994.1994. SeasonaSeasonall distributiondistribution andand sexsex ratioratio ofof MesapameaMesapamea storaistorai (Rebel),(Rebel), PhlogophoraPhlogophora meticulosa meticulosa (L.)(L.) andand SesamiaSesamia nonagroides nonagroides (L(Lefebvre)efebvre) (Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera:: Noctuidae)Noctuidae) fromfrom SãoSBo MiguelMiguel (Azores)(Azores).. ArquipélagoArquipe'lago.. LifeLife andand MarineMarine SciencesSciences 1 12A:57-62.2A:57-62. PontaPonta DelgadaDelgada.. ISSNISSN 0870-6581. 0870-658 1.

TheThe adultadult flightflight periodsperiods ofof MesapameaMesapamea storai storai (Rebel,(Rebel, 1940), 1940), PhlogophoraPhlogophora meticulosa meticulosa (Linnaeus,(Linnaeus, 1758) 1758) andand SesamiaSesamia nonagrioidesnonagrioides (Lefebvre,(Lefebvre, 1827)1827) (Lepidoptera,(Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)Noctuidae) werewere studiedstudied betweenbetween JulyJuly ofof 19881988 and and DecemberDecember ofof 1989,1989, atat RibeiraRibeira Grande,Grande, ArribanasArribanas andand LagoaLagoa dodo CongroCongro onon thethe islandisland ofof São SPo Miguel,Miguel, usingusing PennsylvaniaPennsylvania blacklightblacklight traps.traps. WhileWhile the therere waswas evidenceevidence ofof considerableconsiderable fluctuationsfluctuations inin density density,, twotwo speciesspecies werewere presentpresent continuouslycontinuously (P.(P. meticulosa)meticulosa) oror between between SeptemberSeptember andand December December ((S.S. nonagrioides)nonagrioides) at at thethe threethree locations.locations. lnIn contrastcontrast M.M. storaistorai waswas onlyonly capturedcaptured atat thethe endend ofof thethe SummerSummer ofof 19881988 andand inin thethe nextnext SpringSpring atat LagoaLagoa dodo Congro.Congro. ForFor anyany givengiven speciesspecies bothboth sexessexes werewere capturedcaptured simultaneouslysimultaneously,, and and inin nono casecase diddid thethe sexsex ratioratio does does deviatedeviate significantlysignificantly from from 1:1 :1. 1.

SILVA,SILVA, MICHAEL,MICHAEL, JOÃOJOAO TAVARES TAVARES && VIRGÍLIOVIRG~LIO VIEIRAVIEIRA 19941994. . DistribuiçãoDistribuiqiio sazonalsazonal ee sex-ratiosex-ratio dede Mesapamea Mesapamea storaistorai (Rebe(Rebel),l), PhlogophoraPhlogophora meticulosameticulosa (L.)(L.) ee SesamiaSesamia

nonagroidesnonagroides (Lefebvre)(Lefebvre) (Lepidoptera: (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)Noctuidae) emem SãoSiio MiguelMiguel (Açores).(Aqores). Arquipélago.Arquipe'lago. CiênciasCiencias BiológicasBio16gica.s ee MarinhasMarinhas 12A:57121257-62.-62. PontaPonta Delgada.Delgada. ISSNISSN

0870-6581.0870-658 1.

AA curva curva de de voovoo dosdos adultosadultos de de MesapameaMesapamea storaistorai (Rebel,(Rebel, 1940),1940), Phlogophora Phlogophora meticulosameticulosa (Linnaeus,(Linnaeus, 1758)1758) e e Sesamia nonagrioidesnonagrioides (Lefebvre,(Lefebvre, 1827)1827) (Lep. (Lep.,, Noctuidae)Noctuidae) foifoi estudadaestudada atravésatravts dede armadilhas armadilhas luminosasluminosas dodo tipotipo Pensilvânia,Pensilvhia, instaladasinstaladas emem trêstr&s localidadeslocalidades dada ilhailha de de São SPo Miguel Miguel (Ribeira(Ribeira Grande Grande,, Arribanas Arribanas e e LagoaLagoa do do Congro),Congro), entre entre JulhoJulho dede 19881988 e e DezembroDezembro dede 19891989.. Para Para asas trêstr&s localidades,localidades, foramforam evidenciadasevidenciadas flutuaçõesflutuagBes dede densidadedensidade consideráveis,considerhveis, sendo sendo asas espéciesespicies observadasobsewadas continuamentecontinuamente (P.(P. meticulosa)meticulosa) ouou entreentre SetembroSetembro e e Dezembro Dezembro (s.(S. nonagrioides). nonagrioides). Contrariamente, Contrariamente, M. M. storaistorai foifoi capturadacapturada somentesomente nono ffimim dodo VerãoVerPo dede 19881988 e e nana PrimaveraPrimavera seguinte, seguinte, isto isto nana LagoaLagoa dodo CongroCongro.. ParaPara quaqualquerlq uer dasdas espécies,esptcies, ambos ambos osos sexossexos foramforam capturadoscapturados simultaneamente,simultaneamente, nãonb sese tendotendo verificadoverificado queque o o sex-ratio sex-ratio sese desviasse desviasse significativamente significativamente de de 1:1 : 1. 1.

MMichaelichael Silva,Silva, JoãoJoiio TavaresTavares && VirgílioVirgilio Vieira.Vieira. Universidade Universidade dosdos Açores,Agores, Departamento Departamento dede Biologia,Biologia, PT-9500PT-9500 PontaPonta Delgada,Delgada, Açores,A~ores, Portugal.Portugal.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION ThisThis familyfamily includes includes numerous numerous agricuagriculturalltural pestpest speciesspecies (TAVARES(TAVARES 1989),1989), which which damagesdamages ccanan ThisThis paperpaper isis thethe secondsecond ofof aa studystudy ofof thethe familyfamily bebe predipredictedcted indirectly indirectly byby thethe sstudytudy ofof thethe adult adult NoctuidaeNoctuidae fromfrom SãoSBo MiguelMiguel island island (SILVA (SILVA etet aI.al. flightflight curve, curve, obtained obtained using using the the lightlight oror sexuasexuall inin press).press). traptrap techniquetechnique (see(see VIEIRAVIEIRA etet a!.al. 1993)1993)..

57 The present paper is a contribution to the RESULTS AND DISCUSSION adult dynamics of M. storai, P. meticulosa and S. nonagrioides (subfamily Amphipyrinae). P. Mesapamea storai (Rebel) meticulosa and S. nonagrioides can present During the studied period, M. storai only various generations per year and both are largely appeared at Lagoa do Congro (Fig.' I), with a poliphagic species, with an Asiatic- maximum of 18 captured adults at the end of the Mediterranean and subtropical distribution, Summer of 1988 and 3 in the next Spring. respectively (BALACHOWSKY1972; CALLE1982). The sex ratio was favourable to males in The three species are reported for all the islands September of 1988 (55.6%) and in the next of the Azorean Arquipelago except M. storai Spring (66.7%). which has not been recorded for Santa Maria and Its presence is more characteristic in the Graciosa and S. nonagrioides which is missing in natural forest, specially of tha central group of Santa Maria (VIEIRA& TAVARESin press). the Azorean islands (MEYER1991). Moreover, it In order to evaluate the potential impact of shows a preference for Poaceae (Table I), and these species on the regional agrosystem, a list of probably its small variety of preferred host plants their host plants is also presented. The present is the reason for such a low frequence, as well as work is a small contribution to a more global an indicator of little economic importance. project: biological control program.

MATERIAL AND METHODS According to the material and methods used by SILVA et al.. (in press), the adult population dynamics of M. storai, P. meticulosa and S. nonagrioides were studied from July 1988 to December 1989 (i.e. 76 weeks), using Pennsylvania light traps placed at three locations in Siio Miguel island: Ribeira Grande (altitude 100 m, north coast), Arribanas (250 m, interior south-southwest) and Lagoa do Congro (550 m, interior south-southeast). Month Each light trap, equipped with a TLD 18W Fig. 1. Number of M. storai adults captured at lightbulb, was installed at the edge of a Lagoa do Congro (L) from July of 1988 to permanent pasture Poaceae field, lifted one metre December of 1989. from the ground. The captured specimens would fall into a container with 5 % formaldehyde to Phlogophora meticulosa (L.) preserve the material. Adults were collected from trap-containers once a week. The biological The total number of P. meticulosa adults material was washed, and the species of each captured in the light traps (Fig. 2) was relatively adult examined. Records were made of species low, i.e. 14 adults at Ribeira Grande, 58 at name, sex and date of capture for each specimen. Arribanas and 193 at Lagoa do Congro. The number of captured adults per week for This species was present during the whole each species and location was detemined, the sex year at Arribanas and Lagoa do Congro, the ratio was computed as per week, and all the major numbers being recorded from August to percentages of females and males were September. At Ribeira Grande the captures transformed by the arc-sin function, before revealed lower numbers appearing more applying a two factor analysis of variance. frequently from February to May and in Also, a bibliographic survey of the host plants September. A maximum of 30 adults appeared at of each studied Lepidoptera was undertaken. Arribanas (Fig. 2). Table 1

Host plants of M. storai, P. meticulosa and S. nonagrioides (according to PALHINHA1966; BUES 1971; BALACHOWSKY1972; OLIVEIRA& TAVARES1981; CARNEIRO1982; SILVA1992). * Found on many species of this taxon; (#) Crops of cultural or economic interest cultivated in the archipelago; (+) Crops not cultivated in the region.

Crop Area Host Plants M. storai P. meticulosa S. nonagrioides Vegetable + artichoke - Cynara scolymus L. X # lettuce - Lactuca sativa L. X + leek - Allium porrum L. X # potato - Solanum tuberosum L. X # carrot - Datura stramonium L. X # cale(s) - Brassica oleracea L.(vars, cvs) X + spinach - Spinacea oleracea L. X # fava bean - Viciafaba L. X + sunflower - Helianthus anuus L. X # strawberry - Fragaria chiloensis L. X # tomato - Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. X Industrial # sugar beet - Beta vulgaris L. X + sugar cane - Saccharum oficinarum L. # tobacco - Nicotiana tabacum L. X # grape - Vitis vinifera L. X Fruit + cherry - Prunw avium L. X # citrines - Citrus sp. (sps, van, cvs) + apricot - Prunus armeniaca L. X + blackcurrant - Rubus x loganobaccus Bailey X # apple - Malus domestics L. X # pear - Pyrus comunis L. X # grape - Vitis sp. (sps, vars , cvs) X Forestry # oak - *Quercus sp. X Flower + *Anemone sp.; *Beth sp.; X + *Chrysantemum sp.; *Dahlia sp.; X + *Dianthus sp.; *Geranium sp.; X + Helianthus anuus L.; *Primula sp.; X # Strelitzia reginae Ait.; # *Rhododendron sp.; *Rosa sp.; *Viola sp. Cereals + rice - Oryza sativa L. # oat - Avena sativa L. # barley - Hordeum vulgare L. # - Zea mays L. # sorghum - Sorghum italicum L. # wheat - Triticum aestivum L. Pastures # * Poaceae (= Grarnineae) & Forages Agropyron repens L.; *Festuca sp.; Weeds *Holcus sp.; *LMlium sp.; *Azalia sp.; *Ciclamen sp.; *Helianrhus sp.; *Mercurialis sp.; *Rubus sp.; *Rumex sp.; Stellaria media L.; *Urtica sp.; X L.; Eluiisine coracana L.; X Panicum miliaceum L.; *Pennisetum sp.; X *Phragmites sp.; X AddB Ribeira Grande, 125 at Arribanas and 135 at 30 Lagoa do Congro. There was a maximum of 40 specimens at Lagoa do Congro, the highest 20 numbers were found here and at Ambanas. At the three locations it begins to appear in 10 September, occurring at Ribeira Grande till October, and at the other two till December. 0

A SON D Months Fig. 2. Number of P. meticulosa adults at Ribeira Grande (R), Ambanas (A) and Lagoa do Congro (L), between July of 1988 and December of 1989. The sex ratio was favourable to females at Arribanas (62.1 %), while at Lagoa do Congro it was so for the males (74.1%), and at Ribeira Grande it was equal for the both (50%). A two factor analysis of variance (capture places and number of males and females) shows Fig. 3. Number of S. nonagrioides adults captured significant differences among the three capture at Ribeira Grande (R), Ambanas (A), and Lagoa places (F = 5.5, p = 0.004), mainly between do Congro (L) from July of 1988 to December of Ribeira Grande and Lagoa do Congro. In 1989. contrast, it did not happen between the sexes (F = 0.1, p = 0.879). For males and females of each The sex ratio was favourable to females at locality significant differences were not found. Ribeira Grande (59.1%) while at Arribanas and The interaction between both factors is not Lagoa do Congro it was so for the males (53.6% significant (F = 0.6, p = 0.567). and 57.8% respectively). The number of adults of P. meticulosa, although being rather low, shows differences A two factor analysis of variance (capture between places at high and low altitudes. This places and number of males and females) shows species shows a large poliphagy, damaging many no significant differences among the three vegetable, industrial, fruit, flower, and cereal capture places (F = 1.8, p = 0.171) or between crops, as well as oak (Table I). We can find a the sexes (F = 0.1, p = 0.765). Also, the relation between some crops, growing in high interaction between both factors is not significant altitude localities, and the appearance of adults. (F = 0.1, p = 0.872). Although the larval nocivity is not important The adult populations of S. nonagrioides do (BALACHOWSKY1972), the relative abundance in not show significant differences among the three its flight curve, joined to the poliphagy, lead to concern about local harm. localities, they show seasonally frequency and abundance centered on the colder period at the end of the yea. (Fig. 3). It is considered to have a Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefebvre) very harmful larval phase (CARNEIRO1970; BALACHOWSKY1972; OLIVEIRA& TAVARES The total number of S. nonagrioides adults 1981) over Potatoes, carrots, citrines, flowers, captured in the light traps (Fig. 3) was 49 at some Poaceae, sugar cane, cereals and Pastures andlor forages (Table I), that belong to crop REFERENCES areas of regional economic importance. BALACHOWSKY,A. 1972. Entomologie appliquke a Reflexion on the potential impact of these species l'agriculture. Traiti, Tome II - Ltpidopttres. 2eme Vol., Massie et Cie, Paris. 1030 pp. A study made for the three biotopes (SILVA1992) BUES,R. 1971. Contribution B l'ttude de la biologia de reveals climatic values that permit the Phologophora meticulosa L. (Lep., Noctuidae). Thtse pour obtenir le grade de Docteur development of these species, allowing any phase d'universitt, mention Sciences Naturelles a of their life cycle at any place. Anyway, the l'universitt des Sciences et Techniques de observation of adult abundance increases in Languedoc. 96 pp. altitude: M. storai appears only at Lagoa do CALLE,J. 1982. Noctufdos espaiioles. Boletin del Congro; P. meticulosa, although with a Servicio contra plagas e inspection maximum at Arribanas, shows a bigger relative jitopatoldgica, Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y abundance at Lagoa do Congro. However, S. Alimentaci6n, Direction General de la Production nonagrioides shows decrease of abundance from Agraria, Madrid. 430pp. Lagoa do Congro to Ribeira Grande. This CARNEIRO,M. 1982. Pragas das culturas na ilha de relationship can be related to the plants present Siio Miguel. Boletim da Sociedade Portuguesa de at each locality. Entomologia 7(supl. A): -33. Analysing the host plants (Table I), there is a MEYER,M. 1991. Les Ltpidopttres de la rigion large number of these present in the Azores. macarontsienne I1 - Liste des Macro-Htttrockres Although validation of the relationship between observ6s en JuiLlet-AoOt 1991 aux Agores pests and plants has not been done, there are (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Sphingidae, concrete references for S. nonagrioides in the Noctuidae). Linneana Belgica 13 (3):1 17-134. region (OLIVEIRA & TAVARES1981; CARNEIRO OLNEIRA,L. & J. TAVARES1981. ContribuigZo ao 1982). An observation of Table 1 together with estudo de Sesarnia nonagrioides Lef. (Lep., frequency of the specimens (Fig. 1,2and 3) both Noctuidae) na cultura de Strelitzia reginae Ait. reveal a relation between quantity of plants and (Scit., Musaceae) na ilha de S. Miguel - Agores. number of adults present. The species that show Arquipklago, SCrie CiCncias Naturais, 2: 165-176. greater adult abundance have a larger number of PALHI',R. 1966. Catdogo das plantas vasculares plants that can act as support, being able to dos Acores. Sociedade de Estudos Aqoreanos damage the crops or live on the weeds during Afonso Chaves, Lisboa. 186pp. part of their life cycle. Thus it implies greater SUVA,M. 1992. Comparapio da curva de voo de 12 concern with their mobility in the agro- espkcies de lepid6pteros, capturados em trgs ecosystem, towards economical levels of attack, altitudes, nu ilha de Sdo Miguel. Relatbrio de syncronizing the study between harmful phases estigio de licenciatutra em Eng Agricola, of the pest and crop cycle and striving for a better Departamento de CiCncias Agriuias, Universidade management of the ecosystem under the dos Agores, Angra do Heroismo. 137pp. perspective of biological control. SILVA,M., J. TAVARES& V. VIEIRAin press. Seasonal distribution and sex ratio of five noctuid species (, Lepidoptera) captured in blacklight traps ACKNOWLEDGEMENT on Siio Miguel - Agores. First symposium "Fauna and Flora of the Atlantic islands", 4-9 October We would like to express our thanks to Dr. L. Falp for 1993, Funchal - Madeira Boletim do Museu revising the English version of the manuscript. Municipal do Funchal. TAVARES, J. 1989. Mythirnna unipuncta (Haworth) March 1993, Universidade de Tris-0s-Montes e (Lep., Noctuidae) aux A~ores.Bio6cologie et lutte Alto Douro (Portugal). biologique. ThBse d'Etat Es-Sciences, Universit6 vIEm,v. & J. T~~~~~~in press. A c-,ec.ist of the d'Aix-Marseille. 205pp. Lepidoptera from Corvo island (Azores). VIEIRA,v., J. TAVARES& L. OLIVEIRA1993. As A~oreana. armadilhas luminosas e sexuais como meio de estudo das pulula@es de (Haw.) (Lep., Noctuidae). Proceedings of dl Encontro Nacional de Protecp70 Integrada,,, 4-5 Accepted 21 June 1994.