MATING, FEEDING AND FLIGHT BEHAVIORS OF T HE FRUIT SUCKING MOTH, ORAESIA-EMARGINATA FABRICIUS (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE)

The mating, feeding and flight behaviors of Oraesia emarginata FABRICI US were observed under the artificial conditions of 15L-9D photoperiod and 23-24 degrees C. Most male and female moths mated first from 2 to 5 days after emergence. Before mating, females took the calling posit ion at 5.3 h after light off. Mating started from 6.3 h and peaked at 7 to 8 h after light off. The mean uninterrupted mating time was 66 mi n. On the day mating took place, 10% to 20% of both male and female mo ths sucked fruit juice within 2 h after light off, and then the number of sucking adults decreased until mating. After mating, females did n ot take food, but many male moths fed again. During observations on fo llowing days, re-mating couples were excluded to verify differences in behavior between days when mating occurred and when it did not. After the mating day, most mated females laid eggs and 5% to 10% of them su cked fruit juice continuously throughout the dark period. On the other hand, mated males mainly fed soon after light off. They usually fed o nce during the dark period and the mean feeding time was less than 20 min. Flights showed two peaks during the dark period. These peaks occu rred not only on the mating day, but also on the following several day s. The first smaller peak occurred 1 to 2 h after light off. This was thought to be flight for orientation to the feeding habitat. The secon d larger peak appeared from 5.6 to 7 h after light off and may be due to increased mating activity.