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1 December 2016 Pitcher Plant Moths (Exyra) Fly from Pitchers in Response to Smoke
Jake Lee, Jacob Brumley, Meghan Ryckeley, Carter Smith, Janis Lemaster, Christine Ricci, Albert J. Meier, Barry McPhail
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Abstract

Pine savannas in the Southeastern United States are subject to an historical regime of periodic fire, with many and varied ecological consequences. Insectivorous plants of the genus Sarracenia (L.) (Sarraceniaceae) often entirely lose their aboveground leaves to these periodic fires. During the growing season, these tubular leaves, which act as pitfall traps for insects, are host to pitcher plant moths, Exyra (Grote) (Noctuidae), which live their entire life cycle within the plant. This study tested the effect of smoke on a small sample of Exyra semicrocea in pitchers, and demonstrated that they respond quickly by flight.

Jake Lee, Jacob Brumley, Meghan Ryckeley, Carter Smith, Janis Lemaster, Christine Ricci, Albert J. Meier, and Barry McPhail "Pitcher Plant Moths (Exyra) Fly from Pitchers in Response to Smoke," The Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 70(4), 268-270, (1 December 2016). https://doi.org/10.18473/lepi.70i4.a3
Received: 10 March 2016; Accepted: 4 April 2016; Published: 1 December 2016
KEYWORDS
Exyra
fire
Sarracenia
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