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Laboratory observations on the flight activity of the plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

M. R. K. Lambert
M. R. K. Lambert
Affiliation:
Centre for Overseas Pest Research, College House, Wrights Lane, London W8 5SJ, UK
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Abstract

Flight activity characteristics of Chortoicetes terminifera (Wlk.) were recorded in adults suspended on a simple flight balance in a wind tunnel. Ninety-one per cent, of flights by post-teneral (>5-day-old) insects lasted less than 60 s, and only 11% of adults flew for a full 20-min test period at 30°C. The flight capacity ranged from a few or many short flights to continuous flights. Females flew for a greater proportion of the time than males. Flight activity increased with food-deprivation, and only fully hardened (>9-day-old) insects flew continuously throughout a 45-min test period at 26–41°C. Gravid females also made long flights. The frequencies of flight durations by laboratory-reared insects were strikingly similar to the day flight of milling field populations in eastern Australia. Flight performance observations indicated that lift declines with time in flight, wing-beat frequency initially being 33·2 Hz in males and 30·0 Hz in females. The results are discussed in relation to field studies.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 72 , Issue 3 , September 1982 , pp. 377 - 389
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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