Mating Behavior of the Three Spotted Plusia, Plusia agnata STAUDINGER (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

Abstract

The mating behavior of Plusia agnata was observed in the laboratory under a 14L-10D photoperiod regime at 25°C. The female protruded her pheromone gland and fanned her wings as she settled on the upper wall of an observation vessel. The male, fanning his wings, came from the lower part of the vessel, stopped behind the female and touched her abdomen with his antennae. After several seconds the male moved alongside the female, then the female curved her abdomen toward the male and copulated with him. Mating was observed most frequently around two hours before light on.