Flight Ability of Trichoplusia ni1,2 in the Laboratory

Abstract

When the duration and distance of flight and the flight velocities of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) were investigated by using a flight mill system, maximum flight parameters were obtained at 21.1 °C. Virgin females 1–5 days old flew a mean distance of 2220 meters for 61% of the time at average velocity of 58 m/min. Unmated males 2 and 3 days old flew faster than 5-day-old males (60 and 54 vs. 43 m/min), more often (59 and 60 vs. 27%), and further (2320 and 2035 vs. 710 meters). Also, virgin females 1 and 5 days old compared with unmated males of those 2 ages flew faster (65 and 54 vs. 54 and 43 m/min), more often (70 and 52 vs. 52 and 27%), and further (2798 and 1929 vs. 1806 and 710 meters). Finally, virgin females flew further and more often than mated females (1844 vs. 813 meters and 54 vs. 28%). Thus, temperature, age, sex, and the mated or virgin condition of T. ni should be considered when flight is important. For example, in atmospheric permeation tests with pheromones, the movement of mated females into the protected area may be reduced by their reduced propensity for flight.