Automated non-lethal moth traps can be used for robust estimates of moth abundance

Abstract

AbstractRecent reports of insect decline highlight the need for extensive large-scale insect monitoring. However, obtaining abundance or species richness data at high spatial and temporal resolution is difficult due to personnel, maintenance, and post-processing costs as well as ethical considerations. Non-invasive automated insect monitoring systems could provide a solution to address these constraints. However, every new insect monitoring design needs to be evaluated with respect to reliability and bias based on comparisons with conventional methods.In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of an automated moth trap (AMT), built from off-the-shelf-hardware, in capturing variations in moth abundance, by comparing it to a conventional, lethal trap. Both trap types were operated five times on 16 plots from the beginning of July 2021 to the end of August 2021.Moth abundance scaled isometrically between the two trap types. Consequently, the respective seasonal patterns in abundance determined over the monitoring period were similar.The AMT samples phenological patterns using a robust and non-lethal method. However, an initial quantitative in-field test revealed that its long-term applicability must be preceded by several adjustments to the power supply and to data transfer. Depending on the software implementation, the AMT can be used to address a broad range of research questions while also reducing both energy expenditure and the disturbance of non-target animals.