Direct Evidence for Meteorologically Driven Long-Range Dispersal of an Economically Important Moth

摘要: Ecological and evolutionary research on lepidoptera migration has tradi- tionally concentrated the long-range dispersal of day-flying butterflies. Nocturnal flights at high altitudes difficulty in species identification have resulted a paucity evidence supporting moth attacking economic crops. Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel)), moths were reared diet containing marker dye released Crowley, Louisiana, College Station, Texas. Traps baited with A. sex pheromone stationed line east to west over 618 km. There six trap lines 108 km apart north south two more 720 further south. Following release, male captured after four nights Missouri, Kansas, Iowa. The climatological conditions that allow this rapid movement quantified data suggest traveling < 1500 m. These results may provide information mechanism for many into central United States. findings also strengthen compatibility other components physiology behavior "oogenesis- flight syndrome" (sexual maturity flight).