Summary
The flight activity of Epiphyas postvittana was studied at two sites near Melbourne with the aid of suction traps, over a period of 4 years. Maximum numbers were found to fly during the period September to March with peak activity coinciding with the emergence of winter, spring and summer generation moths. E. postivittana is predominantly a nocturnal flier with maximum activity around 20.00–24.00 h. The lower temperature threshold of flight was 8–11°C. The upper temperature threshold varied from 20–21°C, 24–25°C and 27–28°C for the winter, spring and summer generation moths respectively. Flight was highly influenced by the prevailing wind. The lower wind speed threshold was 0.5–0.8 m-s and the upper wind speed threshold was 2.6–2.7 m-s. The relationship between wind speed and the amount of flight was non-linear, with the frequency of flights decreasing sharply with increasing wind speed. No flights occurred at wind speeds greater than 2.8 m-s. Variation in relative humidity had no influence on flight, but lack of rain favoured flight. The amount of flight activity and the amount of rainfall were negatively correlated; flights did not occur when the daily precipitation exceeded 32.5 mm, and with a precipitation exceeding 39 mm no flights could be expected. The value of these findings to pest control programmes is discussed.
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Danthanarayana, W. Flight thresholds and seasonal variations in flight activity of the light-brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walk.) (Tortricidae), in Victoria, Australia. Oecologia 23, 271–282 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345957
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345957