Laboratory evaluation of flight activity of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The flight activity of Spodoptera litura in tethered conditions is evaluated using a computer-mediated flight-mill in the laboratory. The 3-4-day-old moths fly longer and farther than those of other ages. Male and female moths exhibit similar flight activity. Mating status does not influence the flight duration and distance of 2-day-old females. However, these two flight parameters with a 6-day-old mated female is significantly lower than that of unmated ones. The optimum temperature for flight ranged from 16-24 degrees C, whereas the optimum RH ranged from 60%-100%. During 72-h period, the total flight duration and distance of 1-day-old male and female moths were 19.6 h (+/- 5.8) and 83.3 km (+/- 28.4), and 24.0 h (+/- 7.0) and 105.4 km (+/- 37.4), respectively. These results indicate that S. litura has a great potential to undertake long-distance migratory flights.