Abstract
The nocturnal behavior of Leucania separata moth was observed for 4 nights after emergence under artificial light cycle of 16L:8D and after mating under natural photoperiod. The behavior of moths changed considerably as a function of age. The peak emergence occurred before and after the light was turned of and the moths could not fly for about 3hr after emergence. One and two-night-old moths were inactive except for the flight with feeding immediately after the onset of scotophase. Three-night-old moths flew actively and female moths began to call in the latter half of darkness, but some of them ceased their flight before the onset of photophase and did not show any activity when the light was turned on. Four-night-old females started to call at an earlier time than the three-night-old ones and they laid their first eggs. Mating began on the 3rd night and maximum mating activity was observed 5hr after darkness. Number of deposited eggs decreased as moths became older, and 91% of the total eggs were oviposited by the 4th night after the first mating. Mated females oviposited in the first half of darkness especially 1hr after darkness, they called and mated again in the latter half of the night. Such behavior was discussed in relation to the mass migration and concentric oviposition.
