Adult Male Moths Research Articles

Influence of meteorological factors on trap catches and incidence of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) on Bt cotton

The pink bollworm incidence and adult male moth trap catches were monitored throughout the cropping period for four years from 2017-2021 on Bt cotton (KCH-14K59) at University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur. The pink bollworm male moth activity (95 moths/trap) was more during the month of December month (49th SMW) with the highest larval incidence (25.67 larvae/ 20 bolls) on green bolls during the month of February (6th - 9th SMW). The correlation matrix indicating relationship between the weekly mean moth catches, larval incidence and meteorological variables from 2017 to 2021 exerted negative association with mean of maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall, morning and afternoon relative humidity. However, the influence of all these whether parameters was found to be highly significant. When the data was subjected to Multi Linear Regression analysis, the results revealed that 78.70 per cent of mean pheromone trap catches (R2 = 0.787) and 92 per cent of mean larval incidence (R2 = 0.92) was negatively influenced by minimum temperature.

Effect of Different Host Plants on Biology of Tobacco Caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)

The tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) is present as an economically important and regular polyphagous pests in India and other countries. The knowledge of biology and ecology of an insect pests is a prerequisite for its management. An experiment was conducted on biology of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) on different host plants in laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The results revealed that the minimum and maximum incubation period of S. litura was 2.98 and 3.30 days recorded on castor and cauliflower, respectively. The minimum larval and pre pupal period was 12.96 and 1.00 days recorded on castor. The minimum and maximum pupal period were recorded on cotton (8.27 days) and cauliflower (6.44 days), respectively. The adult male and female moth survival maximum larvae reared on cauliflower 5.00 and 6.90 days whereas minimum on castor 3.95 and 6.00 days, respectively. The maximum percent adult emergence was recorded larvae reared on castor (87.50%) followed by cauliflower (85.00%) whereas minimum on cotton (67.50%). The maximum fecundity was recorded on castor (886.25) followed by soybean (870.00). The entire minimum life cycle was recorded on castor (29.05 days) whereas maximum on cotton (36.50days) followed by soybean (34.24 days). It was concluded that castor is best host plant for S. litura.

Seasonal differences in the timing of flight between the invasive winter moth and native Bruce spanworm promotes reproductive isolation.

The European winter moth, Operophtera brumata L. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), was accidentally introduced to North America on at least 4 separate occasions, where it has been hybridizing with the native Bruce spanworm, O. bruceata Hulst, at rates up to 10% per year. Both species are known to respond to the same sex pheromones and to produce viable offspring, but whether they differ in the seasonal timing of their mating flights is unknown. Therefore, we collected adult male moths weekly along 2 transects in the northeastern United States and genotyped individuals using polymorphic microsatellite markers as males of these 2 species cannot be differentiated morphologically. Along each transect, we then estimated the cumulative proportions (i.e., the number of individuals out of the total collected) of each species on each calendar day. Our results indicate that there are significant differences between the species regarding their seasonal timing of flight, and these allochronic differences likely are acting to promote reproductive isolation between these 2 species. Lastly, our results suggest that the later flight observed by winter moth compared to Bruce spanworm may be limiting its inland spread in the northeastern United States because of increased exposure to extreme winter events.

Role of Agrometeorological Factors in Regulating the Abundance of Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) in District Kupwara, India

The study on Role of agrometeorological factors in regulating the abundance of Brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) in Kupwara revealed that at all the locations of District Kupwara, first adult male moth of Leucinodes orbonalis was trapped during 24 SW. Moth population increased and peaked during 34 SW (4.0 moths/trap), thereafter population declined and reached to zero level during last week of September. Correlation studies between abiotic factors and adult moth catch of Leucinodes orbonalis from three locations of District Kupwara viz Langate, Chowgal and Handwara had positive and significant correlation with minimum temperature (0.469,0.461 and 0.462) but positive and non-significant with maximum temperature (0.406,0.401 and 0.410), rainfall (0.032,0.058 and 0.035), relative humidity evening(0.434,0.418 and 0.421), though negative and non-significant with relative humidity morning (-0.149,-0.123 and -0.166) respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed minimum temperature as major contributor in population buildup of the pest followed by relative humidity (evening) while as relative humidity (morning) had least effect in population buildup of the pest.

Analysis of Odor-Tracking Performance of Silk Moth Using a Sensory-Motor Intervention System.

Animals can adaptively behave in different environmental conditions by converting environmental information obtained from their sensory organs into actions. This sensory-motor integration enables the accomplishment of various tasks and is essential for animal survival. This sensory-motor integration also plays an important role in localization to females, relying on sex pheromones floating in space. In this study, we focused on the localization behavior of the adult male silk moth, Bombyx mori. We investigated sensory-motor integration against time delay using odor plume tracking performance as an index when we set a certain time delay for the sensory and motor responses. Given that it is difficult to directly intervene in the sensory and motor functions of the silk moth, we constructed an intervention system based on a mobile behavior measurement system controlled by them. Using this intervention system, not only can timing the detection of the odor in the environment and timing the presentation of the odor to the silk moth be manipulated, but timing the reflection of the movement of the silk moth can also be manipulated. We analyzed the extent to which the localization strategy of the silk moth could tolerate sensory delays by setting a delay to the odor presentation. We also evaluated behavioral compensation by odor sensory feedback by setting a delay to the motor. The results of the localization experiment have shown that the localization success rate did not decrease when there was a motor delay. However, when there was a sensory delay, the success rate decreased depending on the time delay. Analysis of the change in behavior after detection of the odor stimulus has shown that the movement was more linear when we set a motor delay. However, the movement was accompanied by a large rotational movement when there was a delay in the sensory input. This result has suggested that behavior is compensated for the delay in motor function by feedback control of odor sensation, but not when accompanied by sensory delay. To compensate for this, the silk moth may acquire appropriate information from the environment by making large body movements.

Host range, damage extent and leaf consumptions by the bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis Haw. (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) in Bangladesh

Bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis Haw. (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) is a polyphagous pest in Northern America and southern Australia, causing severe damage to several host plants. A study was conducted to record the host plants, damage extent, and morphometrics of bagworms in Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) from 2015 to 2018. Results revealed a limited number of host plants for bagworm namely guava (Psidium guajava), arborvitae/juniper (Thuja standishii), rangan or jungles, geranium (Ixora grandiflora/Ixora coccinea), mussaenda (Mussaenda philippica), cropperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana ‘Ceylon), henna (Lawsonia inermis), mango (Mangifera indica), pomegranate (Punica granatum) and betel nut (Areca catechu). The length of tiny larvae, fully-grown larvae, pupa, adult winged male moths, and wingless adult maggot-like females was 1.02 mm, 24.8 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, and 48 mm, respectively. The average length of the bag was 24.7 mm with a range of 21-28 mm, and the average breadth in the middle of the bag was 6.9 mm with a range of 6-8 mm. The highest number of larval cases per branch was found in guava (56), and the lowest was in copperleaf (8). The highest percent of leaf damage (86.23%) per plant was also observed in the guava plant, and the lowest percent of leaf damage (37.46%) was in copperleaf. The highest number of infested leaves and bags per leaf was observed in the lower stratum of the guava branch, while the lowest infestation was in the top stratum. The highest percentage of leaf area (30%) damage was recorded 72 hours after release (HAR), and the lowest percentage of leaf area (10%) damage was at 24 HAR in guava. The maximum amount of leaf was consumed by bagworm larva at 72 HAR and the minimum amount was consumed at 24 HAR in guava. The maximum leaf area (13.46 cm2) consumption was recorded at 72 HAR, while the minimum amount (3.42 cm2) was consumed at 24 HAR. No significant damage by T. ephemeraeformis was observed in the case of mango, pomegranate, and betel nut plants. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 48(1-2): 1-17, June-December 2022

Robust Moth-Inspired Algorithm for Odor Source Localization Using Multimodal Information.

Odor-source localization, by which one finds the source of an odor by detecting the odor itself, is an important ability to possess in order to search for leaking gases, explosives, and disaster survivors. Although many animals possess this ability, research on implementing olfaction in robotics is still developing. We developed a novel algorithm that enables a robot to localize an odor source indoors and outdoors by taking inspiration from the adult male silk moth, which we used as the target organism. We measured the female-localization behavior of the silk moth by using a virtual reality (VR) system to obtain the relationship between multiple sensory stimuli and behavior during the localization behavior. The results showed that there were two types of search active and inactive depending on the direction of odor and wind detection. In an active search, the silk moth moved faster as the odor-detection frequency increased, whereas in the inactive search, they always moved slower under all odor-detection frequencies. This phenomenon was constructed as a robust moth-inspired (RMI) algorithm and implemented on a ground-running robot. Experiments on odor-source localization in three environments with different degrees of environmental complexity showed that the RMI algorithm has the best localization performance among conventional moth-inspired algorithms. Analysis of the trajectories showed that the robot could move smoothly through the odor plume even when the environment became more complex. This indicates that switching and modulating behavior based on the direction of odor and wind detection contributes to the adaptability and robustness of odor-source localization.

Evaluation of Rice Genotypes Resistance to Yellow Stem Borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) through Sex Pheromone Trap

Yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) is monophagous insect pest causing serious damage to rice growers of plain regions of Nepal. This study was done to evaluate the host preference of yellow stem borer to the various genotypes of rice. The research design employed was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments and three replications and done in kharif season of 2021. Rice varieties selected were Sabitri, Sarju 52, US 312, Radha 4, Sawa Mansuli, Silki and Hardinath 3, which are popularly cultivated in Kailali. Sex pheromone trap (scirpolure) was installed to monitor the preference of yellow stem borer for various rice varieties, especially at the panicle initiation stage of rice. Statistical analysis of four weeks data of adult male moths trapped on different cultivars of rice revealed that the yellow stem borer adult moths were highly attracted to the US 312 and less attracted to Sarju 52 and Silki varieties. This research implied that the adoption of popular rice variety Sarju 52 could safeguard the farmers from the notorious pest i.e. yellow stem borer of rice.

Behavioral study of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its management in chickpea, Cicer arietinum

An experiment on chickpea was conducted to determine the “Behavioral study of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) and its management in chickpea, Cicer arietinum” during rabi season of 2021-2022 at the Organic research farm Kargunwa ji, Department of Entomology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). The population of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera was monitored using pheromone trap installed in the chickpea field in variety of RVG-202. During the year the adult male moth activities were recorded in 7th standard week (early pod formation stage) to 12th standard week (pod maturity stage). The number of moth caught per day in the pheromone traps increased steadily during the early morning with a skewed distribution and a peak catch of the moth (49.6%) was observed between 05.00 h and 07.00 h, followed by a gradual decrease to dawn. This was suspended to the roof of the trap, at a height of 1.5 m. above the ground nearer to the crop canopy. Efficacy of different plant protection options viz., Neem oil @ 3 ml/lit, NPV @ 2 ml/lit, Fixing bird perches @ One perch-1, Lemon grass oil @ 7 ml/lit, Ginger and Garlic extract @ 50 ml/lit and Annona leaf extract @ 50 gm/lit were evaluated against the pest. Observations recorded on Helicoverpa armigera populations were recorded from five randomly selected plants in each plot before and after 3, 7 and 11 days of spraying. The results revealed that all treatments were significantly superior over control.

The Lepidoptera of Cuatrociénegas Protected Area 1. A new species in the genus Callistege Hübner, [1823] (Erebidae, Erebinae, Euclidiini) from the Chihuahuan Desert, Coahuila, Mexico.

A new species of Callistege Hübner, [1823] (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Erebinae, Euclidiini) is described from Cuatrociénegas Protected Area and Biosphere Preserve in Coahuila, Mexico. Adult male and female moths are illustrated, including genitalia. Callistege clara Homziak & Metzler, sp. nov. is one of 27 new species of insects discovered during an inventory survey of arthropods of White Sands National Monument, USA, and Cuatrociénegas Protected Area (Mexico), funded by the U.S. National Park Service. The Cuatrociénegas Basin is known for high endemism of aquatic and wetland biota within the Chihuahuan Desert. Callistege clara Homziak & Metzler, sp. nov. was found in a wetland environment.

Cover Image, Volume 76, Issue 9

The cover image is based on the Research Article Behavioral effects of different attractants on adult male and female oriental fruit moths, Grapholita molesta by Wei‐Na Kong et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5878. image

Development and Evaluation of Sex Pheromone Mass Trapping Technology for Ectropis grisescens: A Potential Integrated Pest Management Strategy.

Since the identification of the Ectropis grisescens sex pheromone, no effective control technology based on this pheromone has yet been developed and evaluated. In this study, pheromone proportion and dosage, sustained-release dispensers, and pheromone lure-matched traps were optimized. The mass trapping technology developed with the above optimized parameters was tested in a field trial. The results show that two compounds, (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-octadecatriene and (Z,Z)-3,9-cis-6,7-epoxy-octadecadiene, at a ratio of 30:70 and impregnated into rubber septa at 1 mg, were the most attractive to male moths. These compounds provided the best performance when combined with a sticky wing trap. Adult male moth monitoring data showed that there was a lower population density in the trapping plot compared with the control plot, and there was a clear difference during the peak adult occurrence of the first five insect generations in 2017. The effect of mass trapping on the larva population was investigated in 2018; the control efficiency reached 49.27% after trapping of one generation of adults and was further reduced to 67.16% after two successive adult moth generations, compared with the control plot. The results of the present study provide a scientific basis for the establishment of sex pheromone-based integrated pest management strategies.

Biology of greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. during dearth period

Eggs of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. are small sized, spherical, whitish at early stage and creamish to light brownish at later stages. Instar wise length (mm), width (mm) and head capsule size (mm) respectively were 1.10 ± 0.10 mm, 0.23 ± 0.06 mm and 0.20 ± 0.02 mm (1st instar); 1.96 ± 0.02mm, 0.33 ± 0.06 mm and 0.33 ± 0.02 mm (2nd instar); 4.46 ± 0.35 mm, 0.37 ± 0.14 mm and 0.37 ± 0.01 mm (3rd instar); 6.33 ± 0.55 mm, 0.68 ± 0.31 mm and 0.66 ± 0.02 mm (4th instar); 7.57 ± 0.45 mm, 2.33 ± 0.58 mm and 2.13 ± 0.12 mm (5th instar); 15.47 ± 0.60 mm, 2.73 ± 0.81 mm and 2.70 ± 0.02 mm (6th instar) and 20.97 ± 0.57 mm, 2.73 ± 1.27 mm and 2.71 ± 0.01 mm (7th instar). Female pupal developmental period was 10.67 ± 0.58 days as compared to 9.33 ± 0.58 days in male. Adult male moth was observed to be smaller than the female. Fore wings of male moths were light grey while slightly deeper grey in female moths, and had the filiform type long antenna. Length of adult female was 18.03 ± 2.00 mm with 27.23 ± 2.54 mm wing span as compared to 12.77 ± 0.80 mm length and 16.03 ± 0.95 mm wings span in male. Female lifespan was 11.33 ± 0.58 days and male was 23.67 ± 0.58 days. A female laid 1063.33 ± 74.89 eggs in her lifespan with 196.60 ± 45.19 eggs laid per day.

Life cycle of oil palm bunch moth, Tirathabamundella walker Lepidoptera: Pyralidae Reared Under laboratory conditions on artificial diet

Tirathaba mundella Walker is an important pest in many oil palm plantations especially those established on peatland. The life cycle of T. mundella has not been described in detail despite its economic importance. This study aimed to describe the bionomic characteristics of T. mundella, rearing on an artificial diet, at 25 oC. The duration of a complete metamorphosis cycle of T. mundella was about 51.63 ± 3.80 days. The incubation period was the shortest (3.33 ± 0.80 days.), The most detrimental stage of the pest to oil palm is at larval stage, which took 33.90 ± 2.60 days before pupating. The pupal period took about 5 to 11 days with a mean ± SD period of 8.53 ± 1.48 days. The average of the adult’s longevity was about 6.05 ± 1.81 days. There is no statistical difference between the duration of male and female longevity. Adult male and female moths reared in captivity feeded with 10% sucrose solution would mate readily and produce fertile eggs. The mean preoviposition period were 4 days. Successful of rearing T. mundella using artificial diet under laboratory conditions promises laboratory assessment for pesticide development which is less tedious and time consuming than conventional field experiments.

The sex pheromone of Legume Pod Borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Revisited

ABSTRACT Female produced sex pheromone of Maruca vitrata containing three components had been reported from countries in tropical Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienal as a major component, (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienol and E-10-hexadecenal as minor components blended in the ratio of 100:5:5 was found to attract M. vitrata male moths in few countries in West Africa. However, this blend was found to have less or no effectiveness in trapping M. vitrata population in Asia, which triggered the need to refine the M. vitrata pheromone formulation. The isomers of major and minor pheromone compounds of M. vitrata were evaluated in this study. When subjected to Electroantennogram (EAG) analysis against male antennae, the isomer (Z,E)-10,12-hexadecadienal as a major component blended with the minor components (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienol and (E)-10-hexadecenol in 100:10:5 was found to elicit better antennal response than the standard three component blend. GC-EAD profiles of the individual synthetic isomer components supported the EAG results. Additional experiments also confirmed the attraction of M. vitrata pheromone compounds and their isomers along with host plant volatiles in EAG and wind-tunnel experiments. Field experiments in India and Cambodia confirmed the effectiveness of improved M. vitrata pheromone lures in attracting the adult male moths in legume fields.

Sex differences in the utilization of essential and non-essential amino acids in a Lepidoptera

The different reproductive strategies of males and females underlie differences in behavior that may also lead to differences in nutrient use between the two sexes. We studied sex differences in the utilization of two essential amino acids (EAAs) and one non-essential amino acid (NEAA) by the Carolina sphinx moth (Manduca sexta). On day one post-eclosion from the pupae, adult male moths oxidized greater amounts of larva-derived AAs than females, and more nectar-derived AAs after feeding. After 4days of starvation, the opposite pattern was observed: adult females oxidized more larva-derived AAs than males. Adult males allocated comparatively small amounts of nectar-derived AAs to their first spermatophore, but this allocation increased substantially in the second and third spermatophores. Males allocated significantly more adult-derived AAs to their flight muscle than females. These outcomes indicate that adult male and female moths employ different strategies for allocation and oxidation of dietary AAs.

Larval sensilla of the moth Heliothis virescens respond to sex pheromone components.

Female-released sex pheromones orchestrate the mating behaviour of moths. Recent studies have shown that sex pheromones not only attract adult males but also caterpillars. Single sensillum recordings revealed that larval antennal sensilla of the moth Heliothis virescens respond to specific sex pheromone components. In search for the molecular basis of pheromone detection in larvae, we found that olfactory sensilla on the larval antennae are equipped with the same molecular elements that mediate sex pheromone detection in adult male moths, including the Heliothis virescens receptors 6 (HR6) and HR13, as well as sensory neurone membrane protein 1 (SNMP1). Thirty-eight olfactory sensory neurones were identified in three large sensilla basiconica; six of these are considered as candidate pheromone responsive cells based on the expression of SNMP1. The pheromone receptor HR6 was found to be expressed in two cells and the receptor HR13 in three cells. These putative pheromone responsive neurones were accompanied by cells expressing pheromone-binding protein 1 (PBP1) and PBP2. The results indicate that the responsiveness of larval sensilla to female-emitted sex pheromones is based on the same molecular machinery as in the antennae of adult males.

Flight Ability and Dispersal of European Grapevine Moth Gamma-Irradiated Males (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract Flight abilities and dispersal distances of males of irradiated vs. untreated European grapevine moths (Lobesia botrana [Denis & Schiffermuller]: Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were assessed in a flight assessment cage and in a vineyard. Newly emerged adult male moths were either untreated or γ-irradiated either with 150 Gy or 350 Gy, and each group was marked with a different colored fluorescent dust. Males were released in a laboratory flight assessment cage (70 × 40 × 50 cm) and at the center of a vineyard. The flight assessment cage test revealed significant differences in the flight responses of irradiated and untreated L. botrana males to calling females during the first 2 days after the initiation of the test. The greatest percentage of non-flying males (47%) was observed in the 350 Gy-treatment, whereas no significant differences were detected in male flight ability between untreated and 150 Gy γ-irradiated male moths. Six hundred male moths were released in a vineyard with a rectangular trapp...

Monitoring of ear head worm Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) through sex pheromone in pearl millet crop

Monitoring of adults of ear head worm Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) through male sex pheromones was studied during Kharif 2002 to 2011 in pearl millet crop at Jamnagar, Junagadh Agriculture University, Junagadh. Highest number of moth catches was recorded during 35th MSW i.e. 27 th August to 2 nd September. Adult moth catches were found negatively correlated with maximum temperature (r = -0.1698). Farmers are advised to install sex pheromone trap for monitoring and mass collection of adult male moth of H. armigera @ 5 traps/ha at a height of 2.0 m from 1st week of August to 2nd week of September.

Monitoring populations of Phthorimaea operculella in potato fields and in storage in Senegal

This study provided information on periods of peak trapping for the potato tubermoth (Phthorimaea operculella) in potato fields and in storage facilities in the Niayes area of Senegal. Delta sticky traps baited with P. operculella synthetic pheromone, IT053 ISCA lure, were used to monitor adult male moth populations in 2011 and 2012. In each trapping year, four peaks were observed with the maximum number of moths recorded in February, 2012. A Weibull regression model was developed to predict the incidence of P. operculella in potato fields using the number of male adults caught in pheromone-baited traps. The Weibull model provided a good fit to percentage cumulative mean trap catches for both 2011 and 2012 (R2 = 0.99; P < 0.0001). Based on the Weibull models for the sampling periods in 2011 and 2012, 50% of cumulative mean number of moths were trapped by day 85 (26 March) in both years, 63.2% (= α) were trapped by day 103 and 104 (13 April and 14 April), and 95% were trapped by day 179 and 190 (28 June and 9 July), respectively. Male moths continued to be trapped after potatoes were harvested, but the numbers decreased compared to captures before harvest. This information will be useful for predicting the most appropriate times to institute intervention measures to mitigate damage to potatoes by the moth. Laboratory investigation revealed that abandoned tubers in the field were the source of sustained incidence of the moth on farms following the harvesting of potatoes. The number of male moths trapped in stores tapered with the number of weeks the bagged tubers stayed in storage.