A two-year study was initiated in 2000 to determine species composition and seasonality of clearwing moth species at seven sites in southeastern Tennessee. In addition, the influence of elevation on species incidence was assessed. Thirteen species, representing five genera, of adult male clearwing moths (n=18,102) were collected in pheromone-baited traps. The peachtree borer and lilac/ash borer were the two most commonly collected species, comprising ca. 87% and 10%, respectively, of all adult moths. The oak borer, with a two-year life cycle, was more abundant in 2001 than in 2000, confirming its primary emergence in odd-numbered years. Among all combined urban habitats, elevation significantly influenced densities of adult lilac borers (r2=0.67; F=4.28; df=2, 6; p<0.0699) and peachtree borers (r2=0.80; F=12.46; df=2, 6; p<0.0073). For both species, densities were significantly greater (ca. 1.4x - 2.3x) at the low elevation than at the moderate or high elevations. Because differences in population densities were detected at sites close together in a geographically similar area, predictive flight phenologies of clearwing moths should be adjusted to consider elevational differences within a region or area. Continued monitoring of clearwing moths in urban and forest habitats can lead to a better understanding of emergence and species composition and, therefore, enable growers to better time insecticide applications.
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