Flight activity of the peach fruit moth, Carposina sasakii (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae), measured by a flight mill

The effects of temperature, age and mating status on the flight activity of Carposina sasakii were examined using a flight mill system. Flight measurements were carried out for 24 h under dark conditions. No significant difference was observed for the total flight duration of 2-day-old moths at temperatures between 14 and 26 C. The proportion of individuals that did not fly at all was less than 10% at 14 to 29 degreesC, whereas the proportion at 11 degreesC was 67% in females and 83% in males. Total flight duration did not show a significant difference through the ages from 1 to 7 days in either sex. Two-day-old females flew significantly faster than 1-day-old females, whereas flight speed did not differ among ages in males. Flight activity of females was similar to that of males and remained high even after mating. These results are discussed in relation to the control of C. sasakii by mating disruption in the apple orchards.