Shelter benefits less mobile moth species: the field-scale effect of hedgerow trees

Published source details Merckx T., Feber R.E., Mclaughlan C., Bourn N.A., Parsons M.S., Townsend M.C., Riordan P. & Macdonald D.W. (2010) Shelter benefits less mobile moth species: the field-scale effect of hedgerow trees. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 138, 147-151.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Manage hedgerows to benefit wildlife (e.g. no spray, gap-filling and laying) Action Link
	Plant grass buffer strips/margins around arable or pasture fields Action Link
	Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives) Action Link

Manage hedgerows to benefit wildlife (e.g. no spray, gap-filling and laying)

A replicated, site comparison study in 2008 in five arable fields in Oxfordshire, UK (Merckx et al. 2010a, same experimental set-up as Merckx et al. 2009a, 2009b, 2010, 2012) found that field margins next to hedgerow trees had a higher overall abundance of most shrub- and tree-feeding moth species than margins away from hedgerow trees, but the same was not the case for grass- and herb-feeding moth species. Margins of either 2 m or 6 m next to an area of hedgerow containing at least one tree had a higher abundance of 11 of 13 shrub- and tree-feeding moths than margins without a hedgerow tree, but the presence of hedgerow trees did not affect the abundance of grass- and herb-feeding moths (data presented as model results). The other two species of shrub- and tree-feeding moths (scalloped oak Crocallis elinguaria and buff tip Phalera bucephala) had similar abundance in margins next to and away from hedgerow trees. The five arable fields selected were enclosed with hedgerows containing trees. Two fields had 6-m-wide perennial grass margins and three had <2-m-wide margins. Four sampling points >100 m apart were selected/field, with two/field being 5 m from the trunk of a hedgerow tree. Thus there were four experimental groups: a 6-m-wide margin adjacent to a tree, a <2-m margin adjacent to a tree, a 6-m margin not adjacent to a tree, and a <2-m margin not adjacent to a tree. Between dusk and dawn on 33 nights between 9 June and 19 July 2008 moths were caught (at 10 points/night) using standardized light traps, identified on the morning after capture, marked and released. Counts/treatment not stated.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
Plant grass buffer strips/margins around arable or pasture fields

A replicated, site comparison study in 2008 in five arable fields in Oxfordshire, UK (Merckx et al. 2010a, same experimental set-up as Merckx et al. 2009a, 2009b, 2010b, 2012) found that wide perennial grass margins had a similar abundance of moths to narrow margins. Margins that were 6-m-wide had a similar abundance of moths to 1-m-wide margins (data presented as model results). Two arable fields had 6-m-wide perennial grass margins and three had <2-m-wide margins. Four sampling points at 1 m from the hedgerow and >100 m apart were selected in each field (20 in total). Between dusk and dawn on 33 nights between 9 June and 19 July 2008 moths were caught (at 10 point/night) using standardized light traps, identified on the morning after capture, marked and released. Counts/treatment not stated. Only data from 23 species of moth, which were found at the study sites in the previous year and whose flight period coincided with the sampling, were analysed.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives)

A replicated, site comparison study in 2008 in five arable fields in Oxfordshire, UK (Merckx et al. 2010a, same experimental set-up as Merckx et al. 2009a, 2009b, 2010b, 2012) found that 6-m-wide perennial grass margins, which farmers were paid to maintain, had a similar abundance of moths to standard <2-m margins. Agri-environment scheme 6-m-wide grass margins had similar numbers of moths to <2-m margins (data presented as model results). Two arable fields had 6-m-wide perennial grass margins maintained under agri-environment agreements and three had standard <2-m-wide margins. Four sampling points at 1 m from the hedgerow and >100 m apart were selected in each field (20 in total). Between dusk and dawn on 33 nights between 9 June and 19 July 2008 moths were caught (at 10 points/night) using standardized light traps, identified on the morning after capture, marked and released. Counts/treatment not stated. Only data from 23 species of moth, which were found at the study sites in the previous year and whose flight period coincided with the sampling, were analysed.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)