Tracking the tropical swallowtail moth, Lyssa zampa (Butler, 1869)
Lynn NG, Anuj JAIN & Sivasothi N. Department of Biological Sciences, NUS Tropical Swallowtail Moth Lyssa zampa Atlas Moth Attacus atlas
• Second largest moth in Singapore • Little known about the biology
Host plant: Endospermum diadenum
• Host plant for caterpillars (Van Regteren Altena, 1953; Holloway, 1988) • Found in our forests • Native; Vulnerable
Image source: Khew Sin Khoon Tracking peak emergence of Lyssa zampa • Collection of public records began during mass emergence of 2010 • Peak emergence: May to August • When would the next mass emergence be? 2014 Mass Emergence
Image source: Anthony Phillipson Image source: mrbrown Image source: the Sunday Times
Image source: mothership.sg Image source: Asia One Malaysia too!
Image source: LuggageOnline
Image source: Suara TV
Image source: Mivecblog Are all moths alike? Measuring Lyssa zampa
118 Specimens measured Morphometric differences between males and females
• Females: – longer wings (0.6cm) – wider body (0.2cm)
Sex N Mean/cm Wing M 85 6.28 Length F 33 6.89 Body M 70 0.558 Width F 15 0.677 Morphometric differences between males and females
Dorsal Ventral • Females are lighter coloured than males Male
Female
Image source: Anuj Jain Questions about Lyssa zampa
• > 2,000 records submitted between 2010 to 2014
1. Why a mass emergence? – Analysis of emergence across the years
2. Where were moths found? – Analysis of distribution across Singapore
1) Mass emergence of L. zampa
• Mass emergence recorded in 2010 and 2014
Both 2010 & 2014 mass emergence after dry spells
Dry Spell
• Feb average rainfall = 159mm (NEA)
• Feb 2010: 6.3mm • Feb 2014: 0.2mm
Image source: Today Online L. zampa mass emergence in 2010 and 2014
Dry Mass Spell Flowering
• Observed in 2010 and 2014 in Singapore
Image source: Today Online L. zampa mass emergence in 2010 and 2014
Fresh Dry Mass Green Spell Flowering Leaves
• Shedding of old leaves • Production of fresher green leaves (Wolda, 1978) L. zampa mass emergence in 2010 and 2014
Fresh Dry Mass Green Emergence Spell Flowering Leaves
• Green leaves more nutritious (Wolda, 1978)
• However, correlation does not equal causation • More studies required! 2) Where were moths found? L. zampa sighting reports in Singapore, mass emergence of 2014 L. zampa sighting reports in Singapore, mass emergence of 2014 More L. zampa in urban areas – Why?
• More moths were reported at urban areas – More eyes in urban areas – More light in urban areas
• Ground truthing of point locations: – ~400 moths at one forest site – ~60 moths at one building Impact of light pollution on L. zampa
• Moths migrate to find new host plants
• Become attracted to bright urban lights
• “Trapped” within the urban environment
• Failure to deposit eggs on host plant
• Depressed emergence in subsequent year
Image source: BBC L. zampa sighting reports, Singapore, 2015
More studies required!
• Long-term ground work would be helpful • Citizen science submissions are critical
Thank you for listening!