Quantifying interspecific variation in dispersal ability of noctuid moths using an advanced tethered flight technique.

ABSTRACT: Dispersal plays a crucial role in many aspects of species' life histories, yet is often difficult to measure directly. This is particularly true for many insects, especially nocturnal species (e.g. moths) that cannot be easily observed under natural field conditions. Consequently, over the past five decades, laboratory tethered flight techniques have been developed as a means of measuring insect flight duration and speed. However, these previous designs have tended to focus on single species (typically migrant pests), and here we describe an improved apparatus that allows the study of flight ability in a wide range of insect body sizes and types. Obtaining dispersal information from a range of species is crucial for understanding insect population dynamics and range shifts. Our new laborat

SUBMITTER: Jones HB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4716516 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature