Host-plant documentation will allow general predictions about the ecological and potential forest management significance of theLepidoptera biodiversity structure on Mt Mansfield. It will be important to identify and understand the range of host-plant relationships present on the mountain and how these may vary over elevation and between habitats. Questions concerning the relative significance of rare and common moths in relation to the distribution and abundance of trees and other plants may be assessed. These relationships, once identified, will provide an ecological context against which testable predictions may be made about the ecological impact of different forest management practices on insect biodiversity in mixed northern hardwoods characteristic of Mt Mansfield. Pitfall traps are checked weekly.
Light traps are UV black light over plastic collecting bin, run off of car battery.
The VMC can make datasets available in the following format by request. Data accessibility is explained below. Bibliography Allen, D. C. 1979 . Covell, C. V. Jr. 1984 . Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.