Laboratory evaluation of flight activity of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura （Lepidoptera： Noctuidae）

The flight activity of Spodoptera litura in tethered conditions is evaluated using a computer-mediated flight-mill in the laboratory. The 3-4-day-old moths fly longer and farther than those of other ages. Male and female moths exhibit similar flight activity. Mating status does not influence the flight duration and distance of 2-day-old females. However, these two flight parameters with a 6-day-old mated female is significantly lower than that of tmmated ones. The optimum temperature for flight ranged from 16-24℃, whereas the optimum RH ranged from 60%--100%. During 72-h period, the total flight duration and distance of 1-day-old male and female moths were 19.6 h （± 5.8） and 83.3 km （± 28.4）, and 24.0 h （± 7.0） and 105.4 km （± 37.4）, respectively. These results indicate that S. litura has a great potential to undertake long-distance migratory flights.