Living World 2022

The year 2022 was marked by the lifting of restrictions imposed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing a resurgence of outdoor activities and observations. While this year’s issue remains fairly slim, we have already begun to see an increase in submissions towards the end of 2022, which should be reflected in a more substantial 2023 issue. The 2022 issue of Living World Journal comprises an Editorial, two Research Papers, two Nature Notes and the regular Report of the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Status and Distribution Committee.

Cover Photograph: Our cover photographs show the caterpillar and adult of Dalcera abrasa Herrich-Schäffer, [1854], family Dalceridae. The photographs were taken by Graham White at Blanchisseuse, Trinidad on 20 November 2021 and 20 June 2022 respectively. The caterpillar (front cover) was feeding on the leaves of the introduced seaside almond Terminalia catappa and the adult (back cover) was attracted to light at night. This the first time this species and genus has been identified from Trinidad based on the adult. However, it is not the first record, as there have been earlier photos of the caterpillar from Brasso Seco and Gran Tacarib by Rainer Deo, but with no food plant associated. The adult was identified by Scott Miller, a Dalceridae specialist at the Smithsonian Institution, and it was only once this adult identification was made that Matthew Cock was able to match the caterpillar photos.