Tethered flight ofChilo partellus(Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

AbstractStatic tethered flight was used under laboratory conditions to investigate the flight duration ofChilo partellus(Swinhoe). A flight mill was used to measure flight velocity. Mated females flew for a longer time than unmated ones. Females also flew for a longer time than males. Mated females were able to fly and lay eggs alternately for at least three nights in a row. Flight did not affect the number of eggs deposited by females. The results from the flight mill show that the mill is an accurate device to measure flight velocity. The airspeed ofC. partellusproved to be 0.9 m/s, and there appeared to be no difference between the flight velocity of mated or unmated males and females.