Elm in the Highlands: Current Status and Potential

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Elm in the Highlands: Current Status and Potential Elm in the Highlands: current status and potential management responses to Dutch elm disease Euan Bowditch & Elspeth Macdonald (University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness College) 1 | P a g e Table of Contents List of Figures .................................................................................................................................. iii List of Tables .................................................................................................................................... iv Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4 2. Background ................................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Spatial extent of elm in Scotland .................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Spatial extent of Elm species in the Highlands and Islands ............................................. 11 3.3 Elm survey results and analysis ................................................................................................. 20 3.3.1 Dutch elm disease areas ........................................................................................................ 22 3.3.3 Possible vectors and routes for the spread of DED ..................................................... 26 4. Habitat value of wych elm ..................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Birds ..................................................................................................................................................... 31 4.2 Lichens, and bryophytes ............................................................................................................ 31 4.3 Insects ................................................................................................................................................. 33 5. Production and commercial aspects .................................................................................. 34 5.1 Nurseries and stock ......................................................................................................................... 34 5.1.1 Seeds .............................................................................................................................................. 34 5.1.2 Nursery production ................................................................................................................. 35 5.2 Timber and milling .......................................................................................................................... 36 6. Landscape and social aspects ............................................................................................... 40 6.1 Landscape value ............................................................................................................................. 40 6.2 Perception of elm in the landscape ..................................................................................... 42 6.3 Economic value of elm as a species...................................................................................... 45 i | P a g e 7. Future prospects and recommendations ......................................................................... 48 7.1 Main findings ...................................................................................................................................... 49 7.2 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 51 7.2.1 Planting and restoration strategies ................................................................................... 52 7.3 DED practice and control .............................................................................................................. 57 7.3.1 Management and control methods in the Highlands and Islands ......................... 59 7.4 Management options and action plans .................................................................................... 59 7.4.1 Proposed elm refuges ............................................................................................................. 60 7.4.2 Management Actions ............................................................................................................... 66 7.5 Further research ............................................................................................................................... 72 8. Summary – Elm futures .......................................................................................................... 74 References ....................................................................................................................................... 76 Appendix A – Example of Elm survey ..................................................................................... 86 Appendix B – Example of Sawmill survey ............................................................................. 90 Appendix C – List of respondents and consultees .............................................................. 93 Appendix D – Complete tables of Highland Wards and Refuges planting areas ..... 94 Appendix E – Elm hybrids and varieties that show resistance to DED ....................... 96 Appendix F – Financial implications tables ......................................................................... 98 ii | P a g e List of Figures Figure 1 – Map showing the extent of elm over the Forestry Commission Conservancy areas .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 2 – Structure of elm tree population in Scotland (percentage) .................................. 11 Figure 3 – Map showing the extent of elm woodland areas over the Highland Wards ... 12 Figure 4 – Area of elm species in Highlands and Islands electoral wards ............................ 13 Figure 5 – Areas of woodland in the Highlands and Islands electoral wards with 25%+ elm canopy cover (in areas with elm species as a component) ................................................. 14 Figure 6 – Areas of woodland in the Highlands and Islands electoral wards with 50%+ elm canopy cover (in areas with elm species as a component) ................................................. 14 Figure 7 – Map showing the density of elm canopy cover in woodlands containing elm, across the Highlands and Islands area ................................................................................................ 15 Figure 8 – Map of elm areas and density around the Cromarty Firth .................................... 16 Figure 9 – Successional structure of elm species in the Highlands and Islands (percentage) (NWSS, 2014) ..................................................................................................................... 17 Figure 10 – Levels of herbivore browsing pressure in elm woodlands in the Highlands and Islands (percentage) (NWSS, 2014) ............................................................................................. 18 Figure 11 – Range of habitat types associated with elm species (NWSS, 2014) ................ 19 Figure 12 – Main primary or secondary species of mixed elm woodland in the Highlands (NWSS) ....................................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 13 – Species that the survey respondents most commonly associated with wych elm in the Highlands ................................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 14 – Areas of elm trees identified by survey respondents ........................................... 23 Figure 15 – Examples of elm trees in the Highland region that have recently been infected by DED ............................................................................................................................................ 24 Figure 16 – Healthy elm around Loch Alsh ...................................................................................... 25 Figure 17 – Known and potential vectors of DED through the landscape............................ 26 Figure 18 – Climatic zone baseline for broadleaves ..................................................................... 28 Figure 19 – W8 suitability climate map for the Highlands (ESC, 2016) ................................ 29 Figure 20 – Recorded occurrences of orange-fruited elm-lichen (Calopplaca luteoalba) over the last 60 years, illustrating the decline in elm specialist lichens (Data courtesy of iii | P a g e the NBN Gateway with thanks to all the data contributors. https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NBNSYS0000020545/Grid_Map The NBN and its data contributors bear no responsibility for the further analysis or interpretation of this material, data and/or information.) ..................................................................................................... 32 Figure 21 – Forestry Commission native seed zones for Scotland .......................................... 35 Figure 22 – Perceived use of elm timber ..........................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • River Oykel Special Area of Conservation (Sac)
    RIVER OYKEL SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION (SAC) CONSERVATION ADVICE PACKAGE Image: © Lyn Wells, NatureScot Site Details Site name: River Oykel Site map: https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8363 Location: Highlands and Islands Site code: UK0030261 Area (ha): 921.46 Date designated: 17 March 2005 Qualifying features Qualifying feature SCM assessed condition SCM visit UK overall on this site date Conservation Status Freshwater pearl mussel Unfavourable - No change 8 April 2015 Unfavourable – (Margaritifera bad margaritifera) [S1029] Atlantic salmon (Salmo Favourable – Recovered 7 July 2011 Unfavourable- salar) [S1106] Inadequate Notes: Assessed condition refers to the condition of the SAC feature assessed at a site level as part of NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) programme. Conservation status is the overall condition of the feature throughout its range within the UK as reported to the European Commission under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive in 2019. Overlapping and linked Protected Areas The River Oykel SAC includes main stem of the River Oykel, which rises within Ben More Assynt Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/191 The river flows through Loch Ailsh, which is part of Inverpolly, Loch Urigill and nearby Lochs Special Protection Area (SPA) https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8516 and Loch Awe and Loch Ailsh SSSI https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/1710. It also flows through Oykel Gorge SSSI https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/1264 Kyle of Sutherland Marshes SSSI https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/885 The River Oykel SAC also includes two principle tributaries of the River Oykel: the River Cassley which rises within a different part of Ben More Assynt SSSI https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/191 the River Einig which rises within Beinn Dearg SAC https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8198 and Beinn Dearg SSSI https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/165 The seaward end of the River Oykel SAC meets the Dornoch Firth and Morrich More SAC https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8242 at Bonar Bridge.
    [Show full text]
  • – Highland Council Supports Second Phase Independent Living Gets Housing Support
    scottish local authority news July 2021 Scotland is Stunning! – Highland Council supports second phase Independent Living gets housing support South Ayrshire beaches get prestigious award East Renfrewshire roads maintenance gets the green light PLUS Over fifty pages of local authority news Contents scottish local authority news July 2021 EDUCATION THE ARTS LEGAL 4-11 41-43 & CORPORATE 79-82 SIGN UP FOR TOURISM & OUR LATEST ENVIRONMENT SPECIAL FEATURES NEWS AND UPDATES 14-20 RECREATION EMAILED FREE TO 44-50 YOUR INBOX Subscribe at: http://bit.ly/CI-subscribe SOCIAL CARE FINANCE & HEALTH 51-59 TAYSIDE CONTRACTS 21-24 – revolutionising school meals 12-13 Do you use a PLACECUBE – the Digital ROADS & HOUSING Place TRANSPORT 62-67 32-33 25-31 care service? ASSOCIATION PROFILE – SCOTSS The Care Inspectorate regulates and inspects care services. 61 We publish inspection reports that tell you what we found. We can tell you more about your service and the kind of care you have a right ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATION PROFILE DEVELOPMENT – ALACHO to expect. 71-78 34-40 68-69 We investigate complaints about care. If a service isn’t good enough, we can act to make sure it improves. Published by West Argyll Technical Publications Ltd MANAGING EDITOR Robert McCall ADVERTISING SALES Allan McCarthy, The views contained within are not necessarily those of the publishers, nor of any of the contributors. No element Libby Galbraith, Phil Campbell DIRECTOR Lynsey Moore of the content is to be founded upon or reproduced except Find out more about us and the care services you use. with the express permission of the publishers.
    [Show full text]
  • BCS Paper 2017/74 2018 Review of UK Parliament Constituencies Draft
    Boundary Commission for Scotland BCS Paper 2017/74 2018 Review of UK Parliament Constituencies Draft Revised Proposals for Argyll and Bute, Highland and Moray council areas Action required 1. The Commission is invited to consider responses to the initial and secondary consultation on its Initial Proposals and whether it wishes to make changes to its proposals for Argyll and Bute, Highland and Moray council areas. Background 2. These constituency designs are based on a UK electoral quota of 74,769.2 electors and parliamentary electorate figures from the December 2015 Electoral Register. The electorate of constituencies has to be within 5% of the electoral quota, namely no fewer than 71,031 and no more than 78,507, unless the area of a constituency exceeds 12,000 square kilometres. No constituency may exceed 13,000 square kilometres. 3. The total electorate in the 3 council areas is 307,418, giving a theoretical entitlement to 4.11 constituencies. It is possible, therefore, to design 4 constituencies, exactly covering the combined council areas, the electorates of which are within the limits set by the legislation. 4. The Commission's Initial Proposals for this area comprise 4 constituencies which exactly cover the combined extent of these 3 council areas. A map of the constituencies is at Appendix A. Wards Difference Constituency Council areas Area (km2) Electorate (2007–2017) from EQ Argyll, Bute and Argyll and Bute All 10,302 77,574 3.8% Lochaber Highland 12(part),22 Highland Highland 1-5,6(part),7-10,13(part) 12,985 73,147 -2.2% North Inverness 6(part),11,12(part),13(part),14- Highland 9,995 78,220 4.6% and Skye 18,20,21 Moray Moray All 2,612 78,477 5.0% and Nairn Highland 19 Table 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan Committee Version November, 2015
    Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan Committee Version November, 2015 Proposed CaSPlan The Highland Council Foreword Foreword Foreword to be added after PDI committee meeting The Highland Council Proposed CaSPlan About this Proposed Plan About this Proposed Plan The Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan) is the second of three new area local development plans that, along with the Highland-wide Local Development Plan (HwLDP) and Supplementary Guidance, will form the Highland Council’s Development Plan that guides future development in Highland. The Plan covers the area shown on the Strategy Map on page 3). CaSPlan focuses on where development should and should not occur in the Caithness and Sutherland area over the next 10-20 years. Along the north coast the Pilot Marine Spatial Plan for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters will also influence what happens in the area. This Proposed Plan is the third stage in the plan preparation process. It has been approved by the Council as its settled view on where and how growth should be delivered in Caithness and Sutherland. However, it is a consultation document which means you can tell us what you think about it. It will be of particular interest to people who live, work or invest in the Caithness and Sutherland area. In preparing this Proposed Plan, the Highland Council have held various consultations. These included the development of a North Highland Onshore Vision to support growth of the marine renewables sector, Charrettes in Wick and Thurso to prepare whole-town visions and a Call for Sites and Ideas, all followed by a Main Issues Report and Additional Sites and Issues consultation.
    [Show full text]
  • Population Change in Lochaber 2001 to 2011
    The Highland Council Agenda 5 Item Lochaber Area Committee Report LA/2/14 No 27 February 2014 Population Change in Lochaber 2001 To 2011 Report by Director of Planning and Development Summary This report presents early results from the 2011 Census, giving local information on the number and ages of people living within Lochaber. It compares these figures with those from 2001 to show that the population has “aged”, and that there is a large number of people who are close to retirement age. The population of Lochaber has grown by 6.1% (compared to the Highland average of 11.1%) with an increase in both Wards, and at a local level in 18 out of 27 data zones. Local population growth is strongly linked to the building of new homes. 1. Background 1.1. Publication of the results from the 2011 Census began in December 2012, and the most recent published in November and December 2013 gave the first detailed results for “census output areas”, the smallest areas for which results are published. These detailed results have enabled preparation of the first 2011 Census profiles and these are available for Wards, Associated School Groups, Community Councils and Settlement Zones on the Highland Council’s website at: http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/highlandfactsandfigures/census2011.htm 1.2. This report returns to some earlier results and looks at how the age profile of the Lochaber population and the total numbers have changed at a local level (datazones). The changes for Highland are summarised in Briefing Note 57 which is attached at Appendix 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Wave and Tidal Stream
    Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Enabling Actions Report PFOW wave and tidal stream projects and migratory salmonids July 2013 PFOW wave and tidal stream projects and migratory salmonids 2 PFOW wave and tidal stream projects and migratory salmonids © Crown Copyright 2013 Published by The Crown Estate. This report is available on The Crown Estate website at: www.thecrownestate.co.uk Dissemination Statement This publication (excluding the logos) may be re-used free of charge in any format or medium. It may only be re-used accurately and not in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as The Crown Estate copyright and use of it must give the title of the source publication. Where third party copyright material has been identified, further use of that material requires permission from the copyright holders concerned. Disclaimer The opinions expressed in this report are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of The Crown Estate, and The Crown Estate is not liable for the accuracy of the information provided or responsible for any use of the content. The contents of this Report are offered in good faith and after due consideration. The authors as individuals or as Epsilon Resource Management , cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this Report. Opinions expressed in this Report are those of the author and consultees. Acknowledgments The project Sponsor is The Crown Estate. Epsilon Resource Management would like to thank the following for their guidance and invaluable contributions to this project: Toby Gethin, The Crown Estate The project Review Group All delegates at the workshop Bibliographic Policy The Client has agreed that references in this document may be cited as web links as appropriate.
    [Show full text]
  • Schutz Des Naturhaushaltes Vor Den Auswirkungen Der Anwendung Von Pflanzenschutzmitteln Aus Der Luft in Wäldern Und Im Weinbau
    TEXTE 21/2017 Umweltforschungsplan des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit Forschungskennzahl 3714 67 406 0 UBA-FB 002461 Schutz des Naturhaushaltes vor den Auswirkungen der Anwendung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln aus der Luft in Wäldern und im Weinbau von Dr. Ingo Brunk, Thomas Sobczyk, Dr. Jörg Lorenz Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät für Umweltwissenschaften, Institut für Forstbotanik und Forstzoologie, Tharandt Im Auftrag des Umweltbundesamtes Impressum Herausgeber: Umweltbundesamt Wörlitzer Platz 1 06844 Dessau-Roßlau Tel: +49 340-2103-0 Fax: +49 340-2103-2285 [email protected] Internet: www.umweltbundesamt.de /umweltbundesamt.de /umweltbundesamt Durchführung der Studie: Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät für Umweltwissenschaften, Institut für Forstbotanik und Forstzoologie, Professur für Forstzoologie, Prof. Dr. Mechthild Roth Pienner Straße 7 (Cotta-Bau), 01737 Tharandt Abschlussdatum: Januar 2017 Redaktion: Fachgebiet IV 1.3 Pflanzenschutz Dr. Mareike Güth, Dr. Daniela Felsmann Publikationen als pdf: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen ISSN 1862-4359 Dessau-Roßlau, März 2017 Das diesem Bericht zu Grunde liegende Vorhaben wurde mit Mitteln des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit unter der Forschungskennzahl 3714 67 406 0 gefördert. Die Verantwortung für den Inhalt dieser Veröffentlichung liegt bei den Autorinnen und Autoren. UBA Texte Entwicklung geeigneter Risikominimierungsansätze für die Luftausbringung von PSM Kurzbeschreibung Die Bekämpfung
    [Show full text]
  • Agrochola Circellaris Hufn
    OchrOna ŚrOdOwiska i ZasObów naturalnych vOl. 28 nO 2(72): 41-45 EnvirOnmEntal PrOtEctiOn and natural rEsOurcEs 2017 dOi 10.1515 /OsZn-2017-0014 Jolanta Bąk-Badowska *, Ilona Żeber-Dzikowska**, Jarosław Chmielewski*** The impact of brick (Agrochola circellaris Hufn.) and owlet moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the health of seeds of field elms (Ulmus minor Mill.) in the landscape parks of the Świętokrzyskie Province Wpływ zrzenicówki wiązowej (Agrochola circellaris Hufn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) na zdrowotność nasion wiązu polnego (Ulmus minor Mill.) w parkach krajobrazowych województwa świętokrzyskiego *Dr hab. Jolanta Bąk-Badowska, Institute of Biology, The Jan Kochanowski ***Dr Jarosław Chmielewski, Institute of Environmental Protection-National University, Świętokrzyska 15 St., 25-406 Kielce, e-mail: [email protected] Research, Krucza 5/11d St., 00-548 Warsaw, e-mail: [email protected] **Dr hab. Ilona Żeber-Dzikowska, Prof. Nadzw., Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, The State School of Higher Professional Education in Płock, Gałczyńskiego 28 St., 09-400 Płock; Institute of Biology, The Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Świetokrzyska 15 St., 25-406 Kielce; e-mail: [email protected] Keywords: Ulmus minor, seed pests, Agrochola circellaris, stand density, landscape parks, the Świętokrzyskie Province Słowa kluczowe: Ulmus minor, szkodniki nasion, Agrochola circellaris, zwarcie drzewostanu, parki krajobrazowe, województwo świętokrzyskie Abstract Streszczenie In the period of 2012–2013, a research was conducted to W latach 2012-2013 przeprowadzono badania dotyczące investigate the insects damaging the seeds of field elm (Ulmus owadów uszkadzających nasiona wiązu polnego (Ulmus minor minor Mill.). The aim of the research was to specify the damages Mill.).
    [Show full text]
  • International Passenger Survey, 2008
    UK Data Archive Study Number 5993 - International Passenger Survey, 2008 Airline code Airline name Code 2L 2L Helvetic Airways 26099 2M 2M Moldavian Airlines (Dump 31999 2R 2R Star Airlines (Dump) 07099 2T 2T Canada 3000 Airln (Dump) 80099 3D 3D Denim Air (Dump) 11099 3M 3M Gulf Stream Interntnal (Dump) 81099 3W 3W Euro Manx 01699 4L 4L Air Astana 31599 4P 4P Polonia 30699 4R 4R Hamburg International 08099 4U 4U German Wings 08011 5A 5A Air Atlanta 01099 5D 5D Vbird 11099 5E 5E Base Airlines (Dump) 11099 5G 5G Skyservice Airlines 80099 5P 5P SkyEurope Airlines Hungary 30599 5Q 5Q EuroCeltic Airways 01099 5R 5R Karthago Airlines 35499 5W 5W Astraeus 01062 6B 6B Britannia Airways 20099 6H 6H Israir (Airlines and Tourism ltd) 57099 6N 6N Trans Travel Airlines (Dump) 11099 6Q 6Q Slovak Airlines 30499 6U 6U Air Ukraine 32201 7B 7B Kras Air (Dump) 30999 7G 7G MK Airlines (Dump) 01099 7L 7L Sun d'Or International 57099 7W 7W Air Sask 80099 7Y 7Y EAE European Air Express 08099 8A 8A Atlas Blue 35299 8F 8F Fischer Air 30399 8L 8L Newair (Dump) 12099 8Q 8Q Onur Air (Dump) 16099 8U 8U Afriqiyah Airways 35199 9C 9C Gill Aviation (Dump) 01099 9G 9G Galaxy Airways (Dump) 22099 9L 9L Colgan Air (Dump) 81099 9P 9P Pelangi Air (Dump) 60599 9R 9R Phuket Airlines 66499 9S 9S Blue Panorama Airlines 10099 9U 9U Air Moldova (Dump) 31999 9W 9W Jet Airways (Dump) 61099 9Y 9Y Air Kazakstan (Dump) 31599 A3 A3 Aegean Airlines 22099 A7 A7 Air Plus Comet 25099 AA AA American Airlines 81028 AAA1 AAA Ansett Air Australia (Dump) 50099 AAA2 AAA Ansett New Zealand (Dump)
    [Show full text]
  • Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Stage 1
    The Highland Council Candidate Votes Per Stage Report This report describes votes attained by candidates at each stage. Contest Name Ward 11 - Caol and Mallaig Total number of Ballot Papers Received 3,294 Total Number of Valid Votes 3,242 Positions to be Filled 3 Quota 811 Stage 1 Candidate Name Affiliation Transfer Value Votes Status Susan CARSTAIRS Scottish Labour Party 0.00000 181.00000 Allan HENDERSON Independent 0.00000 917.00000 Elected Billy MACLACHLAN Scottish National Party (SNP) 0.00000 778.00000 Denis RIXSON Scottish Liberal Democrats 0.00000 304.00000 Scottish Conservative and 0.00000 265.00000 Liz SAGGERS Unionist Liam SIMMONDS Independent 0.00000 30.00000 Ben THOMPSON Independent 0.00000 767.00000 Non-transferable votes 0.00000 0.00000 Total 3,242.00000 Report Name: CandidateVotesPerStage_Report_Ward_11_-_Caol_and_Mallaig_05052017_154534.pdf Created: 05-5-2017 15:45:34 The Highland Council Candidate Votes Per Stage Report This report describes votes attained by candidates at each stage. Stage 2 Surplus of Allan HENDERSON Candidate Name Affiliation Transfer Value Votes Status Susan CARSTAIRS Scottish Labour Party 6.35745 187.35745 Allan HENDERSON Independent -106.00000 811.00000 Billy MACLACHLAN Scottish National Party (SNP) 15.37347 793.37347 Denis RIXSON Scottish Liberal Democrats 20.69061 324.69061 Scottish Conservative and 6.35745 271.35745 Liz SAGGERS Unionist Liam SIMMONDS Independent 4.04565 34.04565 Ben THOMPSON Independent 42.42153 809.42153 Non-transferable votes 10.75384 10.75384 Total 3,242.00000 Report Name: CandidateVotesPerStage_Report_Ward_11_-_Caol_and_Mallaig_05052017_154534.pdf Created: 05-5-2017 15:45:34 The Highland Council Candidate Votes Per Stage Report This report describes votes attained by candidates at each stage.
    [Show full text]
  • Climatic Condition in Mandi Distric
    Research Paper Volume : 4 | Issue : 1 | January 2015 • ISSN No 2277 - 8179 Taxonomic Studies on Light Trap Collected Biotechnology Species of Abraxas Leach Under Agro- KEYWORDS : Taxonomic, Genitalia, Wing, Adeagus Climatic Condition in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh Forest Protection Division, Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus VIKRANT THAKUR Panthaghati, Shimla Himachal Pradesh 171009 MANOJ KUMAR Faculty of Biotechnology, Shoolini university, Solan HP-172230 ABSTRACT The light trap collection by using mercury lamp indicated that Abraxas Leach under agro-climatic condition of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh is comprises of three species viz. Abraxas picaria Moore, Abraxas leucostola Hampson and Abraxas sylvata Scopoli. These species obatain their peak in July- August . Abraxas leucostola Hampson was found most abundant followed by Abraxas picaria Moore and Abraxas sylvata Scopoli on the basis of daily catches. The taxonomic study on these spe- cies carried out and described in detail. A key to the species of Abraxas Leach has also been provided for their easy identification. Introduction: DEX (Beccaloni et.al. 2003). The hierarchy of different moth is This moth is mostly white with brownish patches across all of given by Van Nieukerken et al. (2011) the wings. There are small areas of pale gray on the forewings and hind wings. They resemble bird droppings while resting on Result: the upper surface of leaves. The adults fly from late May to early Abraxas picaria Moore August. They are attracted to light. The wingspan is 38 mm. to picariaMoore, 1868, Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 1893(2): 393 (Abraxas). 48 mm. The moth is nocturnal and is easy to find during the day.
    [Show full text]
  • Quantifying Dispersal in British Noctuid Moths
    Quantifying dispersal in British noctuid moths Hayley Bridgette Clarke Jones Doctor of Philosophy University of York Biology September 2014 1 Abstract Dispersal is an important process in the ecology and evolution of organisms, affecting species’ population dynamics, gene flow, and range size. Around two thirds of common and widespread British macro-moths have declined in abundance over the last 40 years, and dispersal ability may be important in determining whether or not species persist in this changing environment. However, knowledge of dispersal ability in macro-moths is lacking because dispersal is difficult to measure directly in nocturnal flying insects. This thesis investigated the dispersal abilities of British noctuid moths to examine how dispersal ability is related to adult flight morphology and species’ population trends. Noctuid moths are an important taxon to study because of their role in many ecosystem processes (e.g. as pollinators, pests and prey), hence their focus in this study. I developed a novel tethered flight mill technique to quantify the dispersal ability of a range of British noctuid moths (size range 12 – 27 mm forewing length). I demonstrated that this technique provided measures of flight performance in the lab (measures of flight speed and distance flown overnight) that reflected species’ dispersal abilities reported in the wild. I revealed that adult forewing length was a good predictor of inter- specific differences in flight performance among 32 noctuid moth species. I also found high levels of intra-specific variation in flight performance, and both adult flight morphology and resource-related variables (amount of food consumed by individuals prior to flight, mass loss by adults during flight) contributed to this variation.
    [Show full text]