Spatial and temporal fluctuations of the abundance of Neotropical cave-dwelling moth Hypena sp. (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) influenced by temperature and humidity

Abstract

The present study evaluated the seasonal variation of a population of Hypena sp. in the Gruta Taboa (Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Brazil), in relation to changes in temperature and humidity during the dry (July 1999 and July 2000) and rainy (January 2000 and January 2001) seasons. The Hypena sp. population responded to external seasonality, being distributed closer to the cave entrance during the rainy season, in which temperature and humidity fluctuated around 21 °C and 85%, respectively. During the dry season abundance was higher in sections farther from the entrance (deeper sections) (19.2 °C temperature and 80% humidity). The results showed that this species is influenced by external environmental factors, even in a tropical region where the external climate fluctuations are lower compared to temperate regions.