The Period of Time of the Adult Insect's Activity and its Mating Behavior

Studies on the Control of the Indian Meal Moth, Plodia interpunctella Hübner (IV)

Abstract

In order to know about the period when the adult insect is active and shows its mating and ovipositing behavior, the authors made continuous observation of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella Hübner.
(1) The period when the adult insect was active, was during 13 hours from 5p. m. to 5a. m., and it was considered that their activity was closely related with the luminous intensity of the environment. The number of active insects increased rapidly when it passed 6p. m., decreased gradually after the number reached the maximum at 8p. m., and it decreased very rapidly when it passed 10p. m.. The period when the insect was most active, was during 4 hours from 7p. m. to 10p. m..
(2) The migration, the mating and the ovipositing behavior of them occurred during the period when the adult insect was active.
(3) The uncopulated female of this moth was keeping the so-called calling pose holding up its tail. When the male drew near that female, the male moved actively with the mating dance making its wings tremble feverishly, came close to the female and copulated with it.