Light-Trap Catch of Caddishflies (Trichoptera) in the Carpathian Basin and Anatolia in the Four Quarert of the Moon

Abstract

The study deals with the effect of Moon on light trapping of caddisflies (Trichoptera) species. The light-traps have operated in the following years: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1992 and 2000 at seven Hungarian sampling sites. Diken and Boyaci (2008) operated light-traps in year 2004 at Eğirdir Lake (Turkey). We analysed of eleven species from four families in Hungary and eight species belonging to four families in Turkey. Relative catch values, calculated from daily catching data, were calculated by the four moon quarters: New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Last Quarter.

The significant catch maxima of different species in different moon quarters can be found.

We could investigate only those species which were caught in great number by traps. Our results confirm that the Moon affects the lives of caddisflies (Trichoptera) and this fact is important in reproduction of caddisflies, taxonomy studies, protection of aquatic habitats and nature conservation research as well.