Hyles wilsoni wilsoni (Rothschild) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae): Light Trapping in the Olaa Rain Forest, Island of Hawaii

Abstract

Seasonal fluctuation in relative abundance of the endemic hawk moth Hyles wilsoni wilsoni (Rothschild) was determined in its natural habitat, the Olaa rain forest (1200 m elevation, 2157 mm average total precipitation/year), Island of Hawaii, using a light trap (fluorescent black-light tube, 10 watts) operated daily from July 1992 until July 1993. The moth was widespread during August, November, and December of 1992, and from February to April of 1993. Moth catch per night peaked in November (0.41 moth/night, mean temperature 16.5°C), February (0.53 moth/night, 14.1°C), and April (0.38 moth/night, 15.8°C). This study indicates that H. wilsoni wilsoni is not as abundant as previously recorded.