Data from: Larval development under continuous and dynamic light pollution alters sexual dimorphism in a moth species

Larval development under artificial light at night (ALAN) can affect adult
body mass, often in a sex-specific way. However, it is still unclear
whether ALAN also affects other morphological traits. In this experimental
study, we tested for differences in flight and fecundity-related
morphology and wing melanisation in the noctuid moth Agrotis
exclamationis, originating from populations under contrasting skyglow
levels, and whose offspring were reared under either a dynamic ALAN,
continuous ALAN or control dark treatment. In response to ALAN, adult body
mass and wing size were affected in a sex-specific way, resulting in
altered sexual size dimorphism. Wing aspect ratio was lower in populations
originating from higher skyglow levels, but only in males. Under ALAN
conditions, relatively more mass was allocated to the abdomen and less to
the thorax. Sexual colour dimorphism was stronger in populations
originating from higher skyglow levels, as males from these populations
had lighter coloured wings and females had darker wings compared to
populations from lower skyglow levels. We provide evidence for alterations
of sexual dimorphism under ALAN. Different developmental effects of ALAN
on males and females are likely to contribute to the significant though
complex impacts of this type of sensory pollution in a wider range of moth
and other insect species.