Corn Earworm 1 Moth: Vertical Distribution in Nocturnal Flight 2 , 3

Abstract
Adult Heliothis zea (Boddie) were trapped at 15 levels (between 25 and 1047 feet) in conical-type blacklight traps on a television tower. During peak periods of flight in 1967 and 1968, the catch of com earworm moths was greater than the combined catch of all other insects. Species of insects representing 9 orders and 35 families were captured above 275 feet. The percentage of mating among trapped earworm female moths was low (26 and 39%) as is also usual for earworm moths captured in traps at ground level. More males than females and more unmated than mated moths were trapped at levels above 275 feet during peak flight periods. The greater percentage of trapped males and lower percentage of mated females at high levels were more marked during the fall-winter-spring period. These data indicate that flights of corn earworm moths commonly occur at altitudes above 1000 feet and may further indicate mass migration of corn earworm moths.