Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, insect count data 2014

We examined habitat use and foraging activity of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), as well as nocturnal aerial insect abundance at Kaloko-Honōkohau National Historical Park located in the coastal region of Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i Island. The study area covers approximately 486 ha of marine waters and terrestrial coastal plains. Nocturnal aerial insect collection occurred in January and April (2 or 3 nights each) and in July and November (1 or 2 nights each) in 2014. Insects were collected at three stations (KAHO1, KAHO3, KAHO4) between 1 and 10 m above sea level. Nocturnal aerial insects were collected using a 22 W UV light placed above a funnel and bucket trap (Model #2851M, Bioquip Products Inc., Rancho Dominguez, CA) and powered by a 12 V marine deep cycle battery. Insect traps were placed near (~10 m) KAHO1 and KAHO3 (wooded shorelines) and KAHO4 (xeric, vegetated lava field). Timers turned the lights on at approximately one hour before local sunset and off at approximately one hour after local sunrise. Insects were removed from the traps at approximately 00:00 and 06:00, and preserved in EtOH. Insect samples were counted and identified to taxonomic order under a dissecting microscope (Leica MS5, Leica Microsystems Inc., Wetzlar, DE). Samples were dried in a drying oven for approximately 48 hours at 65 C and weighed on an analytical scale.