Abstract:

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the diversity of moths in Pinus tabuliformis plantations under different environmental conditions and the differential regulation mechanisms of environmental factors under different site conditions on the diversity of omnivorous and obligate moths, thereby providing a scientific basis for the biodiversity conservation in P. tabuliformis plantations. Method: Eight P. tabuliformis plantations were selected as plots in the plain region (Tongzhou) and the low mountains region (Xishan) of Beijing. The vegetation factors and environmental temperature and humidity were investigated. Moths in plantations were collected by spotlighting and identified by morphological and molecular biological techniques. Result: 1) A total of 4 569 moths belonging to 227 species in 25 families were collected. The results of α-diversity analysis showed that there were differences in the moth community between pure P. tabuliformis plantations (Tongzhou) and near-natural P. tabuliformis plantations (Xishan) (P<0.05). The proportion of pine-eating moths in pure plantations was 6.5% higher than that in near-natural plantations, and the moth number of common species in pure plantations was 29.7% higher than that in near-natural plantations. 2) The results of β-diversity analysis indicated that the composition similarity of the Noctuidae family, which ranked fifth in species richness, was the lowest (Anosim R = 0.77), showing high sensitivity to environmental changes and could be used as a powerful family to distinguish different ecological environments. 3) The Margalef index was significantly positively correlated with the height and species of understory vegetation, but significantly negatively correlated with soil temperature and canopy closure. The Margalef index was the highest when the height of understory vegetation was about 1.05 m. Omnivorous moths were more sensitive to the height, species and quantity of understory vegetation, while obligate moths were mainly affected by tree diameter at breast height. Conclusion: The abundance of moths is mainly affected by environmental factors such as the height of understory vegetation, the vegetation species and soil temperature. Different moth species show significant preferences for environmental factors, among which the structural characteristics of vegetation have the most significant impact on the distribution of most moth species. This study indicates that understory vegetation plays a key role in influencing the species diversity of moths.

Key words: moth, Pinus tabuliformis plantations, environmental factors, biodiversity.