Effects of sex, mating status and temperature on flight activity of the Oriental tea tortrix, Homona magnanima (Lepidoptera : Tortricidae)

Abstract

Effects of sex, mating status and temperature on flight activity of the Oriental tea tortrix, Homona magnanima, were evaluated by a computer-aided flight mill system. Adult moths reared through 22 to 25 generations were used to measure flight activity. Two to 8 day-old, females always flew more than males. It is likely that survival and flight duration of males were reduced due to exhaustion resulting from flight behavior. Mating status, whether mated or unmated, did not affect flight activity in either sex. Females showed high flight ability within the temperature range from 15 to 23°C, and their flight activity and survival greatly decreased at temperatures over 25.5°C.