Pollination by nocturnal Lepidoptera, and the effects of light pollution: A review

Macgregor, Callum J.; Pocock, Michael J. O.; Fox, Richard; Evans, Darren M.

Abstract

1. Moths (Lepidoptera) are the major nocturnal pollinators of flowers. However, their importance and contribution to the provision of pollination ecosystem services may have been under-appreciated. Evidence was identified that moths are important pollinators of a diverse range of plant species in diverse ecosystems across the world. 2. Moth populations are known to be undergoing significant declines in several European countries. Among the potential drivers of this decline is increasing light pollution. The known and possible effects of artificial night lighting upon moths were reviewed, and suggest how artificial night lighting might in turn affect the provision of pollination by moths. The need for studies of the effects of artificial night lighting upon whole communities of moths was highlighted. 3. An ecological network approach is one valuable method to consider the effects of artificial night lighting upon the provision of pollination by moths, as it provides useful insights into ecosystem functioning and stability, and may help elucidate the indirect effects of artificial light upon communities of moths and the plants they pollinate. 4. It was concluded that nocturnal pollination is an ecosystem process that may potentially be disrupted by increasing light pollution, although the nature of this disruption remains to be tested.

Citation

Macgregor, C. J., Pocock, M. J. O., Fox, R., & Evans, D. M. (2015). Pollination by nocturnal Lepidoptera, and the effects of light pollution: A review. Ecological entomology, 40(3), 187-198. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12174

• Acceptance Date: Oct 19, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Dec 13, 2014
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Deposit Date: Dec 23, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 23, 2014
• Journal: Ecological entomology
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2311
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 187-198
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12174
• Keywords: Agro-ecosystems; Artificial night lighting; Ecological networks; Ecosystem services; Flowering plants; Food-webs; Moths; Population declines
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/371566
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/een.12174/full
• Additional Information: Copy of article published in Ecological entomology, Dec. 2014 at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/een.12174/full