Ecological Entomology (2018) 43, 699-702

Jyrki Torniainen and Lauri Mikonranta (2018)
The origins of northern European Autographa gamma individuals evaluated using hydrogen stable isotopes
Ecological Entomology 43 (5), 699-702
Abstract: 1. Many insect species are migratory. As the spring progresses, adults gradually depart from their over-wintering habitats and arrive in northern zones where they reproduce during the summer. Understanding this transgenerational and highly adaptive migratory behaviour is crucial when interpreting life cycle dynamics of many insect pests.
2. Origins of migratory silver Y moths, Autographa gamma (Linnaeus, 1758), captured from Finland, were studied with stable hydrogen analysis of their wings (δ²H_w).
3. The difference between spring and autumn generation δ²H_w values indicate different geographical natal origins. The probability surface map shows that the spring generation probably emerged in central Europe (Benelux countries, Germany and parts of France).
4. A negative correlation between the δ²H_w values and the migrants' capture year suggests that a warming climate may have driven the transgenerational migratory stages northwards during the last century.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Autographa gamma		Finland