Hawkmoth fauna of a Northern Atlantic rain forest remnant (Sphingidae)

"We present results of a year-long faunistic survey of Sphingidae of the Brazilian northern Atlantic rain forest. The study was undertaken between August 2003 and July 2004, at the Private Nature Reserve (RPPN) Frei Caneca in the state of Pernambuco. Hawkmoths were captured using a 250-watt mercury-vapor light trap positioned against a white wall. We recorded 379 individuals of 50 species in 19 genera. The most abundant species were Erinnyis ello, E. alope, Neogene dynaeus and Protambulyx astygonus, which accounted for 44.2% of the collected individuals. More than one individual was recorded for all but eight species. Hawkmoths abundance was lowest in the months with intense rainfall. The sphingid fauna of northeastern Brazil is compared with that of the Amazonian and southern Atlantic rain forest as well as with the adjacent caatinga, a tropical dry forest with abundant succulent plants. Species composition of  Sphingidae of the northern Atlantic rain forest was most similar to that of the Amazonian forest."