Diurnal periodicity of fight in some Delphacidae and Cicadellidae associated with rice

Abstract

1. The diurnal periodicity of flight of delphacids and cicadellids associated with rice was assessed by suction trapping.2. All the delphacids examined and most cicadellids showed a bimodal, crepuscular pattern of flight, the major peak occurring in the evening.3. Some cicadellids showed a unimodal crepuscular pattern of flight activity with the peak occurring in the evening, whereas flight activity of Cofana spectra and Cunimaculata continued throughout the night. Changes in the periodicity of flight activity of Nilaparvata lugens, Sogatella jkrcqera, Recilia dorsalis and Macrosteles stnvrons were observed in relation tophases of the moon and the nature of the habitat. 5. Periodicity of take-off for N.lugens, Sfircifera and R-dorsalis assessed by canopy net traps also showed a bimodal, crepuscular pattern with the major peak occurring in the evening. 6. The significance of diurnal periodicity is discussed in relation to the flight behaviour of the insects studied.

Flight behaviour in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

“…The take-off periodicity of N. lugens as measured by the canopy traps for the period August-September 1980 is reported by Perfect and Cook (1982), the insects in the present study being part of that sample. Insects were collected and flown from four morning and four evening take-off periods, Fig.…”

“…The brown planthopper is a predominantly crepuscular flyer with a major take-off peak at dusk accounting for approximately 75% of insects emigrating during a given period and a lesser peak at dawn accounting for the other 25% (Ohkubo and Kisimoto, 1971;Chen and Cheng, 1980;Perfect and Cook, 1982;Saxena and Justo, 1982). Insects were collected during both these flight periods using an aspirator and mounted for flying by attaching a small pin to the mesonotum (Padgham, 1983).…”

“…Insects were collected and flown from four morning and four evening take-off periods, Fig. 1 shows a slight delay compared to the histogram of take-off times from the canopy trap given by Perfect and Cook (1982). Most insects were collected, flight mounted and flying within 10-20 min of arriving in the trap.…”

Seasonal and Daily Movement of <I>Scaphoideus titanus</I> Ball (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

“…Many delphacids and cicadellids associated with rice showed a bimodal ßight. Major activity occurs at sunset and is entrained by moon phases (Perfect and Cook 1982). Few species of leafhoppers and planthoppers seem to be more active during daytime.…”

The Relationship Between Lunar Phases and the Emergence of the Adult Brood of Insects

“…The reason might rather be the lunar rhythm of adult emergence. Relying upon their suction trap catch results, Perfect and Cook (1982) presume a synchronization mechanism between lunar phases and the flight activity of the species living in the tropics where the change of temperature is moderate. According to Fryer (1959), the rhythm of the development of the non-biting midge species Chironomus brevibucca Kief.…”