Preimaginal Environment Influences Adult Flight inCydia molesta(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract

Dispersal of adult tortricid moths between habitats may have important consequences for pest management in orchards, but little is known about how ßight parameters are affected by environmental conditions during preimaginal development. The inßuence of changing temperature and photoperiod (both singly and in combination) as well as of larval crowding and food deprivation were investigated in Cydia molesta Busck (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a species that has been found to disperse after peach harvest and colonize pome fruit orchards. Comparative assessments of ßight parameters were made on a computer-linked ßight mill and life history traits were evaluated. A signiÞcant increase in ßight performance was correlated with preimaginal exposure to decreasing photoperiod. In addition, pupal development was delayed and larger individuals emerged, but preimaginal survivorship was reduced. Decreasing and increasing temperature regimens and increasing photoperiod did not inßuence adult ßight. Larval crowding was associated with increased ßight, but the differences were not statistically signiÞcant. Food deprivation was associated with accelerated preimaginal development, lower pupal weight, less fecund adults, and reduced ßight. We propose that the main factor eliciting dispersal in this tortricid is decreasing photoperiod.

Evidence for Obligate Migratory Flight Behavior in Young European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Females

“…Finally, we cannot rule out the presence of facultative migratory behavior in this species. Decisions to migrate may be inßuenced by environmental conditions experienced by larvae (Harrison 1980, Sappington and Showers 1992a, Hughes et al 2004 or the adults themselves (Sappington and Showers 1993, Luo et al 1995, Zhang et al 2006). European corn borers have different numbers of generations per year depending on latitude (Showers et al 1975, Showers 1979, and it is possible that expression of migratory behavior is inßuenced by a seasonal component.…”

Diel Flight Pattern and Flight Performance of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Measured on a Flight Mill: Influence of Age, Gender, Mating Status, and Body Size

“…The body size of the cactus moths is much larger than the previously studied Cydia spp. (Schumacher et al 1997a(Schumacher et al , 1997bDorn et al 1999;Hughes et al 2004); hence, for the purpose of the current study, the ßight mill technique had to be adjusted. Sexual dimorphism was marked in C. cactorum, because newly eclosed females weighed an average 80% more than males.…”

Relationship Between Behavior and Physiology in an Invasive Pest Species: Oviposition Site Selection and Temperature-Dependent Development of the Oriental Fruit Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

“…Thus, pupal weight can be considered a good measure for adult fecundity in this species (Hughes et al 2004). Furthermore, sex ratio of the pupae was close to the expected 50:50% distribution at 30 and 25ЊC, whereas it became male biased at extreme temperature of 33ЊC.…”

“…In lepidopteran herbivores, several species were observed to oviposit on the sunny side of plants, even in the absence of differences in leaf quality potentially affecting larval development (Bernays and Chapman 1994). Among the microclimatic factors, temperature has a crucial inßuence on the behavior of adult herbivores (Kü hrt et al 2006) and their interactions with plants (Shreeve 1986, Alonso 1999, as well as on the performance of their offspring (Hughes et al 2004, Manrique et al 2008). Temperature at the oviposition site may provide reliable cues for thermal conditions optimal for embryonic and larval development, given that the larvae are relatively sedentary and develop close to the oviposition site.…”

“…Although females can ßy considerable distances Dorn 2002, Hughes et al 2004), feeding larvae are sedentary and usually complete their feeding period close to the penetration site, for instance, within the same fruit (Rothschild and Vickers 1991). Studies on the response of the oriental fruit moth to changing abiotic conditions (Hughes et al 2004) indicate a high potential for adaptation. However, in contrast to the codling moth C. pomonella (Kü hrt et al 2005(Kü hrt et al , 2006, little is known on the thermal response of the oriental fruit moth, despite its high economic signiÞcance (Natale et al 2003, IlÕichev et al 2004, Evenden and McClaughlin 2005.…”