Biological transformations associated with weather changes. An hypothesis on the flight activity of WISEANA spp.

Abstract

The increased activity of insects before weather changes, particularly, certain types of weather, has been the subject of theorising that atmospheric e l e c t r i c i t y , among other things, might influence insect activity and behaviour before and during these changes (Fabre 1918;Uvarov, 1931;Wellington, 1957). Henson (1951), Rainey (1951) and Wellington (1957} have studied m a s s weather effects on insects and have shown the apparent effects of approaching and receding weather fronts on insect activity. Wellington suggests that p a r t i c u l a r types of weather have their own p e c u l i a r identifying features, which influence a p a r t i c u l a r behavioural r esponse in certain insects, and concluded that insect activity should be classified in relation to general weather patterns r a t h e r than on static r e c o r d s alone. Because populations, weather, and climate are all dynamic and not static as fixed climatic readings a r e , then one dynamic happening (such as flight behaviour) should be related to another (such as a i r m a s s meteorology) r a t h e r than to a specific set of static data at a fixed point in time.Pottinger (1966) showed that adult weevils, HYPERODES BONARIENSIS, in Canterbury, New Zealand, have dispersive flights throughout a period c o m m e ncing in late August and ceasing in late April. Flight activity is related to a change in weather from a n o r t h -e a s t e r l y to a south-westerly air s t r e a m . Flight was observed to commence only when wind speed was below 13 km p e r hour, relative humidity below 6%, and temperature higher than 16°C. Helson (1967) found in light trap studies that the porina moth, WISEANA SPP. begins its flight activity in early October and this continues until late March. As with stem weevil, m a s s flight activity is related to a change in weather from a northerly to a southerly a i r s t r e a m . This generally takes place 24 + 9 hr before the a r r i v a l of a low p r e ssure system and usually rain, and from observations made at Makara R e s e a r c h Station (Fig. 1)over s e v e r a l y e a r s , after ground t e m p e r a t u r e s at 4" depth have risen to 10°C in spring. In New Zealand these low p r e s s u r e cold fronts pass over the country approximately every 3 days in October. The aim of the p r e s e n t investigation was to study the relationship between flight activity and weather changes. Satellite photos of approaching cold fronts with associated rain were also studied to evaluate these as a possibly better method of predicting the approach of the fronts after they have reached approximately 160°E longitude, providing some means can be found to distinguish between those fronts which stimulate emergence and those which do not.

Using meteorological and lunar information to explain catch variability of Orthoptera and Lepidoptera from 250 W Farrow light traps

“…This indicates that other factors may explain the occurrence of some species. For example, the emergence of some species of hepialid moth from their subterranean tunnels is closely timed to coincide with the passage of weather fronts (Helson & Penman, 1970;Edwards & Green, 2011).…”

The ecology of electricity and electroreception

“…However, it is very possible that the behaviours observed in these studies are in fact derivative of ecologically relevant electroreceptive abilities, such as avoidance of predators or hazardous meteorological conditions. Indeed, it has long been speculated that weather‐associated fluctuations in atmospheric electricity may influence the behaviour of insects (Uvarov, 1931; Wellington, 1957; Helson & Penman, 1970). It could certainly be the case that the excessive behavioural thresholds recorded are the result of a lack of stimulus specificity to those encountered in the natural ecology of the animal, particularly in terms of temporal components such as the frequency and envelope modulations of the electrical signal.…”

Mating behaviour, and evidence for a female‐released sex pheromone, inWiseana copularis(Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)

“…According to Helson & Penman (1970) and Carpenter (1978), females of W. copularis begin wing fanning 10 min after emergence and do not usually fly before fanning their wings. McDunnough (1911) observed that a virgin female of a North American hepialid species emerged and ascended a grass stalk.…”