I think you are right about the drought being the culprit; it also affects
predator species such as birds, etc. in that their young are not provided
with enough food to grow and mature. This is a reflection of how
interrelated animals and plants are and the effect of climate changes
regarding weather; remember we are in an el nino year in which weather
patterns shift easterly, and we get weather from the normally drier western
states, making it tough on our native species. Global warming has also
increased our average temperatures. We are near a record number of 90
degree days and a defecit of about 5 inches of rain. Buck
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry McDaniel <larrycmcd@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tn-moths <tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2016 06:50:46 -0400
Subject: [tn-moths] Re: Slow year
I haven't noticed such a decrease but I haven't been going at it full steam.
I would like to hear what others say.
Larry McDaniel
Johnson City, TN
From: birders3@xxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2016 17:30:18 -0400
Subject: [tn-moths] Slow year
To: tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Friends,
I know some of you on this site are long experienced and very
knowledgeable in moth matters. I have a question that maybe some of you can
help explain. I have greatly enjoyed the moths for a number of years now
and have had amazing varieties as well as numbers,but this year has been the
lowest of all the years I have watched. I am particularly concerned because
certain types have been almost entirely absent like the underwings and the
sphinx moths which have been most impressive and enjoyable in the past.
I am concluding that the extreme drought where we are is a culprit
perhaps because plants and blooms have not matured or produced as normal.
Is this a good explanation. Is there something else I am not realizing.
Otherwise there is nothing different about our surroundings or how we have
provided for their attraction.
I would appreciate any comments from others and hope you have had a
good year.
J. N. Howard, Fiery Gizzard Cove, Marion County
