Association of the Female Flight Ability of Asian Spongy Moths (Lymantria dispar asiatica) with Locality, Age and Mating: A Case Study from China

The spongy moth (formerly known as a gypsy moth), Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is polyphagous pest that defoliates various species of trees in the genera Populus, Salix, Quercus, Acer and Pinus. Egg masses Asian moths (Lymantria asiatica) were obtained from five geographically distinct locations China (Chengdu, Xifeng, Heilongjiang, Kuduer Longhua regions) carried to lab for incubation rearing larvae up adult emergence. aim was see how locality, age mating status influenced flying activity female moths. findings demonstrate significantly affects asiatica activity, with flight period distance decreasing dramatically increases. Locality also impacts ability, does not affect ability (p > 0.05). maximum speed observed females Xifeng (7.19 ± 0.34 km/h). Heilongjiang recorded having average (2.35 0.08 Females exhibited duration (0.94 0.04 h 1.87 0.18 km). Morphological features, i.e., thorax width (cm) wing loading, (R2 = 0.93 R2 −0.98). overall pattern Kuder Chengdu Longhua, distance, it Chengdu. This research offers detailed information on dispersion rate Spongy or newly introduced habitat, which can help us limit spread this pest.