Authors: FARKAS, STANLEY R.; SHOREY, H. H.; GASTON, LYLE K.

Source: Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Volume 67, Number 4, 15 July 1974 , pp. 633-638(6)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Abstract:

The behavior of males of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), flying within an aerial trail of female sex pheromone was influenced by the concentration of pheromone, the spatial position and intensity of the illuminating light source, and visual cues from nearby objects. When exposed to pheromone, most moths held at light intensities ranging from 10 to <10^-7 lux initiated flight. Directed flight to the source along the trail of pheromone occurred between 4 and 10^-4 lux, but not at <10^-7 lux. Visual observations and photographic analysis indicated flight along the aerial pheromone trail consists of alternating turns, resulting in a zigzag course in a horizontal plane. Actual air speed along the zigzag course and forward progress air speed (speed measured in a straight line along the longitudinal axis of the pheromone trail) decreased when the moths were subjected to an increase in pheromone concentration. Much of this decrease in air speed may be caused by the corresponding decrease in wing-beat frequency that occurs at higher pheromone concentration. The angular change in direction of male moths engaged in the zigzag flight behavior tended to increase with an increase in pheromone concentration. There was no apparent correlation between either the turning frequency or lateral amplitude of the flight path and pheromone concentration. Arrestment of flight and a landing response appeared to be stimulated by the combined action of visual cues and high pheromone concentration.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 1974-07-15

More about this publication?

• Annals of the Entomological Society of America is published in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Annals especially invites submission of manuscripts that integrate different areas of insect biology, and address issues that are likely to be of broad relevance to entomologists. Articles also report on basic aspects of the biology of arthropods, divided into categories by subject matter: systematics; ecology and population biology; arthropod biology; arthropods in relation to plant diseases; conservation biology and biodiversity; physiology, biochemistry, and toxicology; morphology, histology, and fine structure; genetics; and behavior.
• Editorial Board
• Submit a Paper
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• Visit this journal's homepage
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Entomology
• By this author: FARKAS, STANLEY R. ;  SHOREY, H. H. ;  GASTON, LYLE K.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers