Sexual behavior and diel activity of citrus fruit borer Ecdytolopha aurantiana

Males and virgin females of the citrus fruit borer Ecdytolopha aurantiana L ima, displayed two flight peaks during a 24-hr period, one at dawn and the other at dusk in an orange grove near Gaviao Peixoto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Du ring the day, when temperatures were highest and relative humidity lowest, most individuals rested on leaves in the lower and middle crown. Moths rapi dly moved higher in the crown after sunset, and many were observed flying a bove the tree canopy. This behavior was mainly associated with mating. Male s and virgin females marked with fluorescent powder of different colors wer e observed in the dark with the aid of a black light. Mating was observed o nly in the upper crown of citrus trees from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, with a peak (6 4%) between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. Males of E. aurantiana were captured in traps baited either with virgin females or female extracts, suggesting the use o f a long-range sex pheromone. At close distance (1-2 cm), males and females displayed a short-range communication behavior, with males exposing hairpe ncils and vibrating their wings. Females were frequently stimulated to cont act the body of a male before copulation. The mean duration of copulation w as 1 hr 40 min.