The Nocturnal Activity of Crane-Flies (Tipulinae) as Indicated by Captures in a Light Trap at Rothamsted

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Abstract
During the years 1933-36, inclusive, 3394 crane-flies of 17 spp. were caught in a light trap. Tipula paludosa accounted for 57.4% of the total capture while 10 spp. accounted for no more than 1%. Of the total catch 65.4% were [male][male] but in T. marmorata, obsoleta, and oleracea [female][female] predominated. Greatest activity for the group as a whole occurs in Sept. and is due to the preponderance of T. paludosa. A minor peak occurs in June due to Pales flavescens. Reduced activity occurs throughout July. T. oleracea and possibly T. paludosa have 2 broods per year; P. maculata and flavescens, T. marmorata, obsoleta, and pagana are single-brooded. Activity is invariably greatest just after sunset and is maintained longer in the [male][male] than in [female][female]. A slight secondary peak occurs near midnight. Statistical analysis showed that activity is favored by a high daily minimum temp., small daily range in temp., and is little affected by changes in maximum temp. Activity is greatest, as shown by number of catches, on cloudy nights without moonlight and least on clear nights with a full moon, but this effect may be indirect through correlation with minimum temp.

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