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Abstract: This study was performed to clarify the ecological characteristics of a cave‐dwelling moth species, Triphosa dubitata Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), at Baram cave and at Ssang cave within Pyeongchang‐gun of Gangwon province in south Korea. We investigated T. dubitata population for 3 days from March 2013 to October 2013 (except September) and in January 2014. We used a section investigation method in the caves every month to determine their ecological characteristic. A nocturnal investigation using a high intensity discharge lamp adjacent to the entrance of the cave was conducted in parallel with a diurnal investigation using butterfly traps to investigate the movement of T. dubitata. In order to investigate the range of habitat temperature of moths, we used a dual laser targeting infrared thermometer to measure the cave temperatures. We caught individuals of T. dubitata L.: 8,574 individuals in Baram cave and 828 individuals in Ssang cave. As 9,095 individuals (97 %) appeared at a temperature of −3°C ~ 8°C, it was verified that the adults were living at specific temperatures. In addition, T. dubitata adults were not active outside the caves; they entered the cave as soon as they developed from pupa into adults. These results showed that T. dubitata depended on food plants outside of the cave during the egg–larva–pupa stages, and they used the cave as a habitat for long‐term survival when they develop into adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) was introduced to South Korea from North America in the 19th Century and was heavily used in the 1960s for reforestation of denuded mountains after the extensive deforestation during the Japanese occupation periods and the Korean War. Nationwide distribution of black locust tended to positively correlate with human population size and/or density of the administrative districts considered. Results from field survey on the representative vegetation types, Quercus acutissima and Q. mongolica communities in lowland and upland, respectively, show that black locust have invaded other vegetation beyond originally planted zones in lowland but not the upland vegetation. Black locust occurs from the bases to summits of mountains in the urban centers, whereas its range is restricted to mountain bases in urban outskirts and rural areas. Although native oaks (Quercus spp.) are usually succeeding black locust colonies, changes to native vegetation are often interrupted by frequent disturbance by human activities, as evident from persistent sprouts and expansions of black locust suckers in the disturbed areas, such as urban center and rural areas. Responses of the black locust plantation in terms of stand dynamics to different disturbance intensities also reflected such trends. Our results suggest a correlation between disturbance regimes and occurrence of black locusts. We recommend incorporating this correlation to the management plan for control of black locust. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]