Recent research reveals the need for equivalent protection of night-time pollinators like moths, highlighting their vulnerability to urbanization. Moths are responsible for one-third of the pollinator visits to crops, flowers, and trees in urban regions.
As per the news release via EurekAlert!, moths carry more pollen than previously assumed and visit a wider range of plant and fruit crops. The decline of moth populations by 33% over the past 50 years poses a significant risk to the plants and crops that depend on insect pollination.
Moths Face Urbanization Threats and Decline; Conservationists Call for Protection Similar to Bees
Considering Moths in Planning Urban Ecosystems
In the study, titled "Negative Effects of Urbanization on Diurnal and Nocturnal Pollen-Transport Networks" published in the journal Ecology Letters, researchers reported that moths face greater challenges from urbanization compared to bees, primarily due to their more intricate life cycle and specific plant requirements.
However, the research also highlights the essential role moths play in supporting urban plant communities, accounting for approximately one-third of all pollination in flowering plants, crops, and trees.
To ensure the health of urban ecosystems, the researchers suggest that urban planning and redevelopment should prioritize the introduction of plant species that benefit not only bees but also moths.
Dr. Emilie Ellis, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of protecting urban green spaces and developing them in a way that goes beyond conservation efforts focused solely on bees, but also supports a diverse range of wildlife.
The study reveals significant differences in the plant communities visited by bees and moths. In addition to the usual pale and fragrant flowers preferred by moths, the research discovered that moths carry more pollen than previously believed and visit a wider variety of tree and fruit crops than previously identified.
Urbanized areas often exhibit an overabundance of non-native plant species or a decrease in overall plant diversity, which can result in reduced interactions between insects and less attractive plant species, negatively impacting both plant and insect populations.
The findings emphasize the vital role of moths in pollinating various plants, including crops. The study has implications for initiatives promoting wildlife-friendly gardening, urban planners, and policymakers responsible for the development of urban green spaces and urban horticulture projects.
READ ALSO: The Adaptive Response of Tropical Moths to Climate Change Has Led To Surprising Findings
Moths Are Important Too: Here's Why They Matter
According to the Butterfly Conservation website, the decline in moth populations not only affects the moths themselves but also has significant implications for other wildlife. Moths and their caterpillars serve as essential food sources for various species, including amphibians, mammals, bats, and birds like the Blue Tit and Great Tit.
The decline in moths can have negative ripple effects on these wildlife populations, as observed in the decrease in bat abundance over farmland. The reduction in moth caterpillars, a favored food source for cuckoos, may also be linked to the decline in the cuckoo population.
Moths, both as adults and caterpillars, provide essential food for a variety of animals, including insects, spiders, frogs, lizards, bats, and birds. Bats heavily rely on night-flying adult moths for sustenance, while birds, especially during the breeding season, depend on moth caterpillars to feed their young.
Moreover, they serve as important indicators of environmental health, reflecting changes caused by farming practices, pesticides, air pollution, and climate change. Monitoring moth populations and observing their behavior provide valuable insights into the overall state of the ecosystem.
Understanding the dynamics of moth populations helps people gauge the health and balance of our environment, similar to how canaries were used in coal mines as indicators of air quality.
RELATED ARTICLE: Moths Pollinate More Efficiently Compared to Bees, Study Says
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