Phototaxis Characteristics of <i>Lymantria xylina</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)
<i>Lymantria xylina</i> Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is considered a potentially internationally invasive forest pest with limited knowledge about its phototactic behavior. This study investigated the phototaxis of <i>L. xylina</i> males and females using various insectici...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Jifeng Zhang Baode Wang Rong Wang Xiancheng Peng Junnan Li Changchun Xu Yonghong Cui Mengxia Liu Feiping Zhang |
| author_facet | Jifeng Zhang Baode Wang Rong Wang Xiancheng Peng Junnan Li Changchun Xu Yonghong Cui Mengxia Liu Feiping Zhang |
| author_sort | Jifeng Zhang |
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| description | <i>Lymantria xylina</i> Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is considered a potentially internationally invasive forest pest with limited knowledge about its phototactic behavior. This study investigated the phototaxis of <i>L. xylina</i> males and females using various insecticidal lamps in the field. The results showed that all lamps attracted both males and females, but females were captured in a very low numbers, with a female-to-male ratio of 1:322. The insecticidal lamp with a peak wavelength of 363 nm was most effective for male trapping. Males exhibited a distinct light-trapping rhythm, peaking around midnight (23:00–0:00), with 29.5% capture, while females were most active at dusk (19:00–20:00), with 44.4% capture. Light-trapped females were smaller and lighter than indoor-emerged females and had lower egg-carrying capacity. Females, when laying eggs, did not exhibit phototactic behavior. Only 14.6% of non-ovipositing females showed phototactic behavior, and only 0.6% flew directly toward the lamp. These findings suggest that while non-ovipositing females can exhibit phototaxis, only a small proportion will, potentially reducing the risk of long-distance dispersal of <i>L. xylina</i> via ocean-going freighters. The results showed that the non-ovipositing females could fly under phototaxis, but their phototaxis was limited. This study provides a basis for the risk assessment of the long-distance dispersal of <i>L. xylina</i> via ocean-going freighters through female moth phototactic flight. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-392e5fa3a60e465f9d0c69c8298459f9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-392e5fa3a60e465f9d0c69c8298459f92025-08-20T03:13:55ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-03-0116433810.3390/insects16040338Phototaxis Characteristics of <i>Lymantria xylina</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)Jifeng Zhang0Baode Wang1Rong Wang2Xiancheng Peng3Junnan Li4Changchun Xu5Yonghong Cui6Mengxia Liu7Feiping Zhang8Forestry College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaUS Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, S&T, Forest Pest Methods Laboratory, Buzzards Bay, MA 02542, USAForestry College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaForestry College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaFujian Academy of Forestry Sciences, Fuzhou 350012, ChinaZhejiang LOIHOI Agriculture and Forestry Technology Co., Ltd., Taizhou 318058, ChinaForestry College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaForestry College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaForestry College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China<i>Lymantria xylina</i> Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is considered a potentially internationally invasive forest pest with limited knowledge about its phototactic behavior. This study investigated the phototaxis of <i>L. xylina</i> males and females using various insecticidal lamps in the field. The results showed that all lamps attracted both males and females, but females were captured in a very low numbers, with a female-to-male ratio of 1:322. The insecticidal lamp with a peak wavelength of 363 nm was most effective for male trapping. Males exhibited a distinct light-trapping rhythm, peaking around midnight (23:00–0:00), with 29.5% capture, while females were most active at dusk (19:00–20:00), with 44.4% capture. Light-trapped females were smaller and lighter than indoor-emerged females and had lower egg-carrying capacity. Females, when laying eggs, did not exhibit phototactic behavior. Only 14.6% of non-ovipositing females showed phototactic behavior, and only 0.6% flew directly toward the lamp. These findings suggest that while non-ovipositing females can exhibit phototaxis, only a small proportion will, potentially reducing the risk of long-distance dispersal of <i>L. xylina</i> via ocean-going freighters. The results showed that the non-ovipositing females could fly under phototaxis, but their phototaxis was limited. This study provides a basis for the risk assessment of the long-distance dispersal of <i>L. xylina</i> via ocean-going freighters through female moth phototactic flight.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/338<i>Lymantria xylina</i>light-trapping effectphototaxislight-trapping rhythmsexual dimorphismfecundity |
| spellingShingle | Jifeng Zhang Baode Wang Rong Wang Xiancheng Peng Junnan Li Changchun Xu Yonghong Cui Mengxia Liu Feiping Zhang Phototaxis Characteristics of <i>Lymantria xylina</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) Insects <i>Lymantria xylina</i> light-trapping effect phototaxis light-trapping rhythm sexual dimorphism fecundity |
| title | Phototaxis Characteristics of <i>Lymantria xylina</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) |
| title_full | Phototaxis Characteristics of <i>Lymantria xylina</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) |
| title_fullStr | Phototaxis Characteristics of <i>Lymantria xylina</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phototaxis Characteristics of <i>Lymantria xylina</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) |
| title_short | Phototaxis Characteristics of <i>Lymantria xylina</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) |
| title_sort | phototaxis characteristics of i lymantria xylina i lepidoptera erebidae |
| topic | <i>Lymantria xylina</i> light-trapping effect phototaxis light-trapping rhythm sexual dimorphism fecundity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/338 |
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