Spatio-temporal variation of Mocis latipes (Guenée, 1852) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) populations in Brazil according to meteorological factors

Abstract: Mocis latipes (Guenée, 1852) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) has been recognized as a major owlet caterpillar associated to the herbivory of gramineaceous plants across the American continent. During outbreaks, the caterpillars are capable of completely consuming preferred hosts (grasses) and, when these hosts are destroyed, they can move to adjacent non-grass plants and cause similar damage. Meteorological variable such as temperature and humidity are described as factors that affect the development and abundance of M. latipes. This paper aimed to describe and compare the spatial and temporal distribution of M. latipes in different locations in Brazil and to evaluate the influence of meteorological variables on the temporal range. A total of 12 locations were evaluated, in each collection point light traps were installed near cultivated areas. In order to understand the influence of meteorological variables on the abundance of M. latipes, the data were analyzed using a Generalized Linear Model according to Poisson regression. A linear regression was also used to verify the relation between the abundance and the latitude. A total of 1,985 moths were collected. The highest collections were in Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Results show that abundance was inversely related to increasing latitude and Poisson regression analysis indicated that the main meteorological variables were significantly related to abundance at each site. This study shows that due to the high preference for gramineas and the high temperature requirements (30°C), M. latipes is an important species in hot regions and regions with hight humidity. Furthurmore, even in higher latitudes, in subtropical areas, during summer months, populations can Rapidly growth being able to cause economic damages.

摘要：劳氏夜蛾（Mocis latipes，Guenée, 1852）（鳞翅目：夜蛾科）是美洲大陆范围内与禾本科植物植食为害相关的主要夜蛾幼虫类群。在虫灾暴发期，该幼虫可将其偏好寄主（禾草）完全取食殆尽；当寄主被破坏后，它们可迁移至邻近的非禾本科植物并造成类似为害。温度、湿度等气象变量已被证实为影响劳氏夜蛾生长发育与种群丰度的关键因子。本研究旨在描述并比较巴西境内不同区域劳氏夜蛾的时空分布格局，并评估气象变量对其种群时间动态的影响。本研究共设置12个采样点，每个采样点均在种植区附近布设诱虫灯。为明确气象变量对劳氏夜蛾种群丰度的影响，研究采用基于泊松回归的广义线性模型（Generalized Linear Model）对数据进行分析；同时通过线性回归验证种群丰度与纬度之间的关联。本次调查共采集到1985头成虫，其中亚马孙与塞拉多（Cerrado）生物群系的采集量最高。结果显示，劳氏夜蛾的种群丰度与纬度升高呈负相关；泊松回归分析表明，各采样点的主要气象变量均与种群丰度存在显著关联。本研究表明，由于劳氏夜蛾对禾本科植物的高度偏好以及其对30℃高温的需求，该物种是炎热区域与高湿度区域的重要害虫类群。此外，即使在较高纬度的亚热带区域，夏季月份其种群也可快速增长并造成经济损失。