An outbreak of Gynanisa maja (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) larvae in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe,Ecology and Evolution

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An outbreak of Gynanisa maja (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) larvae in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe
Ecology and Evolution ( IF 2.3 ) Pub Date : 2023-12-03 , DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10790
Allan Tarugara ₁ , Bob Mandinyenya ₂ , Bruce W Clegg ₁

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The larvae of speckled emperor moths (Gynanisa maja) are important plant defoliators in savanna ecosystems of southern Africa and a valuable food resource for indigenous communities. Population explosions of G. maja larvae can negatively impact an area's primary productivity thereby altering herbivory patterns and associated ecosystem processes. Harvests of the larvae enhance socio-economic livelihoods of local people by providing a source of protein and improving household incomes. We report on a population outbreak of G. maja larvae that occurred in south-eastern Zimbabwe between December 2022 and January 2023 and discuss the ecological and social significance of the event. A total biomass weight of 5811 tons of G. maja larvae was estimated over the area of the outbreak and extensive defoliation was recorded in Colophospermum mopane trees. We could not associate the outbreak with any obvious environmental conditions and speculate that it may have been caused by subtle triggers that are not easily identified.

中文翻译：

Gynanisa maja（鳞翅目：Saturniidae）幼虫在津巴布韦东南部低地爆发

斑点帝王蛾（Gynanisa maja）的幼虫是南部非洲稀树草原生态系统中重要的植物落叶剂，也是土著社区的宝贵食物资源。G. maja 幼虫的数量爆炸会对一个地区的初级生产力产生负面影响，从而改变食草模式和相关的生态系统过程。幼虫的收获通过提供蛋白质来源和提高家庭收入来改善当地人民的社会经济生计。我们报告了 2022 年 12 月至 2023 年 1 月期间在津巴布韦东南部发生的 G. maja 幼虫种群爆发，并讨论了该事件的生态和社会意义。据估计，在疫情爆发区域内，G. maja 幼虫的总生物量为 5811 吨，并且在 Colophospermum mopane 树上记录了广泛的落叶。我们无法将疫情与任何明显的环境条件联系起来，并推测它可能是由不易识别的微妙触发因素引起的。

更新日期：2023-12-05

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