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

Abstract

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

Assessing the Global Pest Risk of Aeolesthes sarta with Regards to the Host Specie Populus alba under Climate Change Scenarios

“…Although capable of long-distance dispersion, human-aided dispersal through P. alba wood shipment would still be the major route for long-distance dispersion if a species wished to establish itself in a new continent. In the USA, through human-aided dispersal, spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) has been observed to populate new remote areas outside of its continuous dispersion span; however, its constant dispersion span in the Eastern USA only expands westward by natural dispersal at a rate of 2 km per year [57], primarily due to strong flight [58]. Similar to the Spongy moth in North America, A. sarta has had an invasion sequence in Asia comparable to its original distribution zone [4,56].…”

Vegetation–edaphic correlation and importance value index in himalayan ‘ecotone’ temperate conifer forest using the multivariate technique

“…The Himalayan ‘Ecotone’ temperate conifer forests are vital for human survival as well as wildlife species. Despite their importance for survival and existence, human intervention, i.e., land use changes, i.e., conversion into agriculture and human settlements ( Daye and Healey, 2015 , Moisa et al, 2022 ), deforestation ( Lawrence and Vandecar, 2015 , Liao et al, 2018 ), and climate change ( Akram et al, 2022 , Gemeda et al, 2022 , Khan et al, 2021 ) have contributed to a decrease in two-thirds of forest covers over the past two decades ( Miyamoto et al, 2014 , Alkama and Cescatti, 2016 , Tsegaye et al, 2023 ). It is therefore imperative to quantify the relationship between floristic composition, edaphic variables, and environmental determinants in order to conserve, protect, and sustainably manage forests for the present and for the future.…”

Comparing machine learning algorithms to predict vegetation fire detections in Pakistan

“…Annually, substantial funds are allocated towards fire management efforts to reduce or prevent the adverse consequences of wildfires (Thomas et al 2017). Wildfire events lead to the death and displacement of fauna (Tien Bui et al 2016;Bhujel et al 2017), pose risks to the lives and livelihoods of local communities, impact soil fertility and water cycles, release harmful pollutants, including particulate matter (Shahdeo et al 2020) that may contribute to global warming, and result in the loss of vegetation cover (Martell 2007;Usoltsev et al 2020;Shobairi et al 2022;Anees et al 2022bAnees et al , 2024Akram et al 2022;Aslam et al 2022;Khan et al 2024). Advancements in remote sensing technologies have contributed significantly to the monitoring and evaluating of vegetation fires (Gitas et al 2012).…”