Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Royal Entomological Society Journal Awards.
Ecological Entomology is a leading journal focusing on original research concerning insects and related invertebrates’ ecology.
Aimed at ecologists driven by ecological or evolutionary theory, we prioritize innovative contributions testing specific hypotheses. Our journal publishes full-length Original Articles, Reviews, Short Communications, and Methods papers, all intended to advance the field of ecological entomology.
Ecological Entomology Winner
Pritha Dey: A trait-based understanding of the vulnerability of a Paleotropical moth community to predation by a sympatric bat with flexible foraging strategies (49.5)
This study combines trait-based ecology with seasonal dynamics to explore predator-prey interactions between moths and the lesser false vampire bat (Megaderma spasma) in India’s Western Ghats. By assessing prey vulnerability at the assemblage level, it moves beyond the typical species-level interactions studied in controlled environments.
“This innovative paper is an excellent case of how a trait-based approach can help to understand the community ecology of predator-prey dynamics. Insectivorous predators often have broad dietary niches, but are selective in choosing insect prey depending on its availability and handling time. The researchers found that bats shift their diet between wet and dry seasons depending on moth phenology, but also that larger moths with lower manoeuvrability are more vulnerable to predation. For example, hawkmoths are common in the bat diet, despite being able to perceive bat sonar, because their agility is reduced by small hindwings relative to forewings. The insights revealed about how predators may be affected by the loss of prey with certain traits provide a valuable basis for future research in community ecology and conservation.”
– Judges’ comments
Ambulyx Sp., Common Gliding Hawkmoth Pritha currently works as the Head of Natural history collections at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India. Her research journey began with a focus on the taxonomy and community ecology of moths, driven by a fascination with their immense diversity and ecological roles. Through fieldwork in biodiverse landscapes like the Western Himalayas and Western Ghats, she studied moth assemblages, species distributions, across environmental gradients.
This foundational work deepened her appreciation for the ecological interactions that shape diverse moth communities.
Over time, her interests evolved toward understanding moths as prey—specifically in the context of their interactions with bats. Her current research integrates functional traits with predator-prey dynamics to examine how bats adapt their foraging strategies in response to seasonal changes and prey availability.
This shift bridges her taxonomic roots with broader ecological questions about adaptation, selection, and species persistence.
Lesser False Vampire Bat
Photo by Rohit ChakravartyIn this article, Pritha and her advisor Rohini Balakrishnan investigated moth morphology and seasonal availability to develop a novel framework for predicting predation risk. A multi-year analysis of moth remains from bat roosts, alongside seasonal light trapping, reveals new insights into the bats’ dietary preferences and selective hunting behaviour. Findings show that larger, less agile moth species are more vulnerable to predation, with seasonal shifts in prey preference. The research enhances understanding of moth-bat interactions and demonstrates the value of trait-based approaches in ecology. It also provides new insights into how Megaderma spasma’s foraging strategies adapt to changes in prey availability and season, laying the groundwork for future research on predator-prey dynamics in tropical ecosystems.
