Moths of Block Island (Rhode Island, USA) I: Zygaenoidea

Abstract Invasive arthropod vectors and the range expansions of native vectors can lead to public and veterinary health concerns, as these vectors may introduce novel pathogens or spread endemic pathogens to new locations. Recent tick invasions and range expansion in the United States has been attributed to climate and land use change, an increase in global travel, and importations of exotic animals. A 10 year surveillance study was conducted on Block Island, Rhode Island from 2010–2020 including sampling ticks from small mammal and avian hosts. We report the discovery and establishment of the red sheep tick for the first time in the western hemisphere and in the United States. This invasive species was first collected in 2010 on Block Island, was collected continuously throughout the study, and was collected from an avian host. We document the first report of the invasive Asian longhorned tick in the state of Rhode Island, first observed at our sites in 2018. Finally, we present data on the range expansion and establishment of two native tick species, the lone star tick and the rabbit tick on Block Island. This study emphasized the importance of long-term surveillance to detect changes in tick host communities, including invasive and expanding native vectors of potential significance to humans and wildlife.

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The Orientation of Passerine Nocturnal Migrants Following Offshore Drift

The Auk ◽

10.1093/auk/94.2.320 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 320-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Kenneth P. Able

Keyword(s):

New England ◽

Rhode Island ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Field Observations ◽

Nocturnal Activity ◽

Wind Drift ◽

Positive Phototaxis ◽

Nocturnal Migration ◽

Block Island

Abstract Nocturnal autumn passerine migrants are frequently drifted by wind or carried by downwind flight from New England to offshore islands. Most individuals in these flights are immatures. Many recover the mainland via reoriented northward flights. During fall 1972, I made field observations and performed orientation cage tests on nocturnal migrants on Block Island, Rhode Island. Migrants reached the island during four southward movements in following winds. Migration was very light or absent on most other nights. Reoriented diurnal flights left from the island immediately after the arrival of a large nocturnal migration. Northward movements occurred on two nights following daytime reoriented flights. These nocturnal movements are tentatively interpreted as constituting reoriented flights. About 27% of the 79 individuals tested in orientation cages showed significantly directional nocturnal activity. About two-thirds of these oriented basically northwestward, corresponding to the reoriented flight of free-flying birds. These and similar reorientations of immature birds can be explained by a simple compass reorientation in response to wind drift over the ocean without invoking complicated navigation mechanisms. The remaining individuals oriented toward the southeast. Eleven birds exhibited a significant eastward orientation during the first few hours after dawn; this is interpreted as a positive phototaxis. Three of four Blackpoll Warblers oriented southward. No correlation existed between the quantity of Zugunruhe and the amount of subcutaneous fat, but fatter birds were significantly more likely to show oriented nocturnal activity.

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