Laboratory evaluation of flight ability of the Oriental corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

AbstractFlight ability of Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée was evaluated using a flight-mill in laboratory. Females flew most actively at 20–23°C, whereas the majority of the moths tested did not fly at 14–17°C. Temperature above 26°C inhibited their flight activity and survival. The age-specific flight ability of unmated males and females was similar from one to 12 days after emergence; it was highest at one day and then declined gradually. Females showed a pre-oviposition period of three to four days after emergence during which they were capable of longer continuous flight. There was no significant difference between the unmated and mated females in any aspect of flight ability at four days (commencement of oviposition) or at eight days old (peak of oviposition). In males, the flight ability of mated adults was reduced compared with that of unmated adults at both four and eight days old. Increased flight experience did not delay oviposition by mated females, but significantly reduced egg production. There was a significant negative correlation between flight duration and subsequent egg production. Ostrinia furnacalis is concluded to be an active flier that is able to male long-distance flights, because both mated and unmated adults displayed high flight ability for several days after emergence.