Flight Potential of Feral Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Males Measured with a 32-Channel, Computer-Monitored, Flight-Mill System

Abstract

Single-night flight performances of 256 feral com earworm males, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), were measured with a 32-channel, computer-monitored flight-mill system to evaluate their potential and propensity for engaging in long-distance, migratory-type flight. Test moths were males of mixed age that were selected randomly from daily catches in pheromone-baited traps located adjacent to fields of silking corn, Zea mays (L.), in Burleson County near College Station, TX, during the period of 16 and 30 June 1992. Flight was observed in 96% (n = 256) of the moths tested; however, because of mortality and other factors, only 52% (134) remained capable of flight throughout the 9.75-h simulated scotophase period. The 134 moths averaged Hying a total distance of 32.53 km in 17 separate Hights during 5.61 h of total flight time which included an average maximum-duration sustained single flight of 18.8 km of 2.98 h duration. Thus, the feral H. zea males demonstrated a high potential for long distance flight. Other observed characteristics of moth behavior and flight performance are discussed, and the flight-mill system is described.