Research Training Program

The oecophorid moths of Plummers Island and the nearby Maryland shore were collected extensively during the years 1900-1909 by members of the Washington Biologists Field Club. To gain insight as to how the community has changed over the past century, oecophorids of the island were collected from 1998-1999 by weekly trapping using UV-light traps. Nineteen species of moths were collected in the area from 1900-1909, but only 16 species are present in the current decade. Seven species from the original fauna are no longer present, and there are 4 new species. The high species turnover and decline is likely due to the declining habit diversity in the area, as some areas have succeeded from open grassland to an oak-hickory woodland over the years. In addition, the species associated with herbaceous flowering plants were more likely to disappear from the site than those associated with trees or shrubs, and those associated with a woodland flora have become increasingly abundant. This study relates to a current, larger trend in which many species of mammals, birds, and invertebrates from the eastern U.S. and Europe are declining because they are losing the mid-successional habitat on which they depend. Active management may be necessary to keep some portions of conserved areas open for use by successional species. The management implications of this study suggest that an area which features a mosaic of habitats of different-aged stands will be able to support an increased level of biodiversity.