Patterns of Cryptic and Aposematic Coloration in Costa Rican Moths

Cryptic patterns and aposematic coloration in moths was examined at two Biological Research Stations in Costa Rica; two locations within Las Cruces and one in Las Alturas.  In recent years, moths have become the focus of interest as bioindicator species. Las Cruces is located in one of the most deforested counties in Costa Rica and is virtually a forest island consisting of 250 hectors (ha) and surrounded by mixed-use agriculture. In contrast, Las Alturas is located in a 10,000 ha preserve that has received minimal disturbance and is mostly primary rainforest.  The purpose of this study was to see if there were differences in moth types between sites.  Moths were attracted using a black light suspended in front of a white cotton bed sheet at each location. The black light was turned on at dusk and off at day break.  Moths were collected and photographed at each location every evening at 8:00pm and each morning at 6:00am. Photographic images of moths were sorted into categories based on shape and color. Thirty different categories of moth types were designated in this study based on similarities, each representing a family. Species accumulation cures displayed the number of new moth types collected over time at each location to determine when sampling was adequate. Differences between the numbers of moth types in the categories and between collection sites were tested using chi square analysis and were statistically significant at P< 0.05. Statistical differences were expected because of variations in habitat at each location.