crepusculares

Crepusculares is an ecological and behavioral term used to describe organisms whose activity peaks during twilight, at dawn and dusk. The word derives from the Latin crepusculum, meaning twilight, and is used across biology to distinguish a twilight-focused activity pattern from diurnal (day-active) and nocturnal (night-active) behavior.

In ecological terms, crepuscular activity is influenced by environmental factors such as light levels, temperature, humidity, and predation risk. Twilight offers a balance between visibility and safety for many species, allowing for foraging, hunting, or mating while reducing daytime heat and some predators. The timing and degree of crepuscular activity can vary with season and habitat.

Common crepuscular animals include various mammals such as deer, rabbits, foxes, and raccoons, as well as many insects like moths and certain mosquitoes. Some bird species also exhibit crepuscular activity, especially those that feed on insects near dawn or dusk. In plant communities, crepuscular pollination can occur when flowers rely on twilight-flying or crepuscular pollinators, notably certain moths, for successful reproduction.

Adaptive traits associated with a crepuscular lifestyle often involve improved sensory capabilities for low-light conditions, such as enhanced olfaction, hearing, or vision. Behavioral strategies may include crepuscular foraging or hunting schedules that optimize prey availability and energy efficiency under cooler, more humid twilight conditions.

Understanding crepuscular patterns helps explain interactions within ecosystems, including predator–prey dynamics and pollination networks, and is a common focal point in zoology and ecology.