Evolutionary change in flight-to-light response in urban moths comes with changes in wing morphology

Moths and other insects are attracted by artificial light sources. This flight-to-light behaviour disrupts their general activity focused on finding essential habitat resources, such as mating partners, and increases predation risk. It thus has substantial fitness costs. In illuminated urban areas, spindle ermine moths Yponomeuta cagnagella were reported to have evolved a reduced flight-to-light response. Yet, the specific mechanism remained unknown, and was hypothesized to involve either changes in visual perception or general flight ability or overall mobility traits. Here, we test whether spindle ermine moths from urban and rural populations—with known differences in flight-to-light response—differ in flight-related morphological traits. Urban individuals were found to have on average smaller wings than rural moths, which in turn correlated with a lower probability of being attracted to an artificial light source. Our finding supports the reduced mobility hypothesis, which states tha..., Caterpillars of the moth Yponomeuta cagnagella were collected from different populations (with multiple families per population) at either light-polluted, urban sites or pristine dark, rural areas. They were grown under common-garden conditions in the lab. Obtained adults received an individual code before they were subjected to an experimental test. In this test, moths were released at one side of a flight-cage and at the other end of the cage there was a Heath actinic (6 W) light trap. After 8h, it was recorded whether the moths were captured in the light trap or not (i.e., the flight-to-light response). Moths were stored in the freezer (-20 °C) after the experiment.
Thorax and abdomen mass – Dead adult moths were oven-dried at 60 °C for 4 h. Remaining antennae and legs were systematically removed in all individuals prior to measuring total dry body mass (mtot). Head, thorax, abdomen and wings were carefully separated. For each individual, thorax (mth) and abdomen mass (mab) were also..., , # Data from: Evolutionary change in flight-to-light response in urban moths comes with changes in wing morphology

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qz612jmp5](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qz612jmp5)

The dataset \"Yponomeuta2.csv\" contains data on the origin, flight-to-light response and flight-related morphology of *Yponomeuta cagnagella* moths. Young larvae of this species were collected from multiple populations (several families per population) at sites that were either located in light-polluted, urban areas or prstine dark, rural areas. They were then reared in a common-garden setting in the lab. Resulting adults received an individual colour code with a unique number linked to it before being subjected to an experimental test. At night, groups of moths were released at one side of a flight cage with at the other end a Heath light trap (actinic 6 W). After 8 h, it was noted whether a specimen was caught in the light trap or not. The specimens were stored in the freezer awaiting measu...