Abstract

Because it was previously shown that nocturnal moth larval behavior is influenced by both circadian rhythms and climatic variables, we pursued to investigate the relations between air temperatures and mating behavior of Spodoptera lituraadults. Nighttime recordings of adult movement showed a complex interaction between timing and temperature. We found maximum number of mating adults at 3:00 when the average nighttime temperatures were more than 14°C. However, when the average nighttime temperatures were less than 14°C in the tobacco field, peaks adult movement happened before 3: 00. Altogether, these results suggest that the behaviors of S. litura adults are partly regulated by air temperatures during nighttime in the field, and this could be used to improve biological control methods against the S. litura. 

Key words: Mating behavior, nocturnal moth, circadian rhythm, pheromone trapping, yellow sticky traps, crop pests, plant-herbivore interaction.