Influence of environmental factors on daily flight activity of the filbertworm,Melissopus latiferreanus(Lepidoptera, Olethreutidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Flight ofMelissopus latiferreanus (Walsinghzm), the filbertworm, was influenced by a number of environmental factors including temperature, wind, and rainfall.FewM. latiferreanusmoths were trapped in light or suction traps or found in sweep nets samples when air temperatures were above 31°C or below 15°C. Moth captures were optimum when prevailing temperature was between 21 and 26°C.Typically moth flights began at about sunset and continued throughout the night with a peak at 22.00 hours, about an hour after sunset.Very few moths were trapped under showery and gusty conditions when wind velocity was over 16km h−1.More moths were captured in light traps during dark nights than on full moon nights. The pattern of captures indicated that females flew earlier than males.