Biogeography and ecology of sand-dwelling noctuids (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) in Israel

Abstract

All together 44 species of Noctuidae are specific to 5 sandy areas in Israel: Arava Valley, Rotem-Yamin Plain, Uvda Valley, Western Negev and Coastal Sand Dunes. The areas are different in temperature and moisture regimes and belong to different biogeographical districts in Israel (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian). More than half of the species (26/44) are found only in one of these sandy areas. The highest number of these species is recorded from the sands of the Arava Valley (18 species) including all 8 Israeli species of Anumeta, no unique species were found in the Uvda Valley. Most of the sand-dwelling species are univoltine. On inland sands (Arava, Rotem, Uvda) they fly in November or February until April. On the Coastal Dunes and on adjacent sands of Western Negev the species fly in January because of warm nights (mean minimal temperature per month is 10.1ºC) compared to inland areas (mean minimal temperature of 4ºC). According to their general distribution pattern, most of the species inhabiting inland sands belong to eremic groups. Species inhabiting Coastal Sand Dunes and sands of the Western Negev are all circum-Mediterranean. The reasons for the association of these noctuids with sandy soils are discussed.

To cite: Kravchenko, V.D., Pstygo, I., Speidel, W. & Müller G.C. 2014 [2013]. Biogeography and ecology of sand-dwelling noctuids (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) in Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 43: 33–50.