Laboratory Technique for Studying Flight of Cabbage Looper Moths and the Effects of Age, Sex, Food, and Tepa on Flight Characteristics123

Abstract

A modified technique has been successfully adapted for flight studies of the cabbage looper moth, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner). The equipment automatically records total flight distance, velocity of flight, time and duration of flight, and rest periods of individual moths. The mechanical aspects and electronic circuitry are detailed. In preliminary studies, the maximum flight distance of individual cabbage looper moths ranged from 0 to 196 km. Maximum continuous duration of flight was about 7 hr during which the insect traveled 4.8 km. The average velocity was 4.9 km per hour, with a maximum of 9.7 km/hr. Moths 3-4 days old flew more consistently than 0-(newly emerged) to 2-day-old moths. Moths utilized food as a source of energy for flight, whether directly and/or indirectly has not been ascertained; those that were starved or fed distilled water were capable of flight, though to lesser extent than those fed 10% sucrose. The distance flown by moths fed or sprayed with 1% tepa decreased by 76 and 52%, respectively.