Moon phase and other factors affecting light-trap catches of Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer (Diptera : Ceratopogonidae)

Light-trap catches of Culicoides brevitarsis were affected by the phase of the moon with least being caught at the full moon. Seasonal catches were al so influenced by temperature and windspeed. Conversely, changes in moonligh t overnight at the full moon had no obvious effect on the species capture i n light traps. Nightly catches were mainly influenced by temperature when t he effect of windspeed was negated. Differences related to moon phase were most likely the result of alterations to the effective limit of attraction of traps induced by competition with moonlight. This and the other factors would make it difficult to interpret and compare numbers of C. brevitarsis caught in light traps at different times and locations.