Nocturnal Moth Fauna on Flowers

Abstract

Species and numbers of flower-visiting moths were observed during 1985 to 2009 by Ikenoue at various sites in western and central Japan. As a result, 853 moth species on 177 flowering plants were recorded. All of them were found sucking nector. It is clear that most of them contribute to pollen transportation by giving proof of pollen mass sticking on their proboscis, antennae, limbs and other body portions. Some of them probably are nectar robbers. Family composition of moths visiting each plant species is compared and found that the members of Noctuidae, Geometridae and Crambidae are dominant visitors for most of flowers. Observed relationship between plant and moths are described briefly. List of flowers not visited by moth is also presented.