Flight Periodicity and Effect of Weather Conditions on the Take-Off of Ceratovacuna Lanigera (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

Flight periodicity and the effect of weather conditions on the take-off of winged aphids Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner were studied in a sugar cane field and field cage. Emergence occurred before sunset and continued until early morning. Most aphids took off in the early morning one day after emergence. Alighting of winged aphids on the sugar cane occurred mostly in the early morning. Daily fluctuation of number of aphids in the colony on sugar cane leaves was rather small, irrespective of weather conditions, while the number of alighting aphids greatly fluctuated depending on weather conditions. Wind velocity was the most effective factor. The number of alighting aphids increased on calm days, and decreased on windy days (days with a wind speed of >6 m/s). © 1989, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.