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SEPG 2182 - Date Awarded 2003
Pyla fusea (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): a resident lepidopteran on the High Arctic island of West Spitsbergen, Svalbard?
Abstract (Excerpt)
Few Lepidoptera occur in High Arctic latitudes. In 2002, the pyralid moth, Pyla fusca, was observed at Ossian Sarsfjellet on the north shore of Kongsfjord in the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Previous observations of P. fusca indicated that the distribution of this moth was limited to Ossian Sarsfjellet and by comparing such sightings with that of known vagrant species, for example Plutella xylostella, it was hypothesised that P. fusca was likely to be resident. If so, this species would be one of only two possible resident Lepidoptera on Svalbard. The aim of this project was threefold, (i) to confirm whether this species was resident, (ii) determine the factor(s) limiting the distribution on Svalbard and (iii) collect samples for a genetic analysis to determine the age and degree of isolation of the Svalbard population so as to better understand immigration to High Arctic islands.
Full report: SEPG2182
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