História natural da lagarta semiaquática Paracles klagesi (Rothschild) (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae): revelando sua fenologia

Abstract

We investigated the phenology and annual population fluctuation of P. klagesi larvae in a semi-aquatic Cerrado moth. We correlate its occurrence with abiotic factors and also delimit aspects of its natural history. All P. klagesi phenophases are present throughout the year, some with a well-defined peak. Precipitation was negatively correlated with larval abundance, which was an immediate response, whereas pupae were negatively correlated with temperature, and late response. We demonstrate how this unique species of Brazilian fauna may be threatened by climate change on the planet, and how our study is a precursor to providing new information on the biology of semiaquatic lepidopterans.