Symposium: Insect Behavioral Ecology--85: Calling Behavior: Can it be Used to Identify Migratory Species of Moths?

Authors

  • Jeremy N. McNeil

Abstract

There is considerable debate concerning the fate of populations of noctuid moths, founded during the summer, by migrants moving considerable distances northward of areas where permanent populations persist. This paper compares the female calling behavior of moth species that maintain permanent populations in Canada with those that are known immigrants. Residents initiate calling soon after emergence, regardless of climatic conditions, while the mean age of calling for immigrant species is variable, even under favorable conditions. Furthermore the onset of calling by immigrants is strongly influenced by prevailing temperature and photoperiodic conditions during adult life. These differences may only be of importance for the northward spring dispersal, but as fall conditions induce a delay in the onset of calling of known immigrants it is proposed that this could potentially permit a southerly, upper air migration to suitable overwintering sites.

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Published

1986-03-01

Issue

Section

Literature Review Articles