Studies on the flight capabilities of Anoplophora glabripennis
Laboratory studies using computerized flight mills have been conducted in the USA to assess the flight capabilities of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List). In total, 162 adult beetles were used in computerized flight mills for a 24 h trial period to collect information on total distance flown, flight times and velocities, as well as the number and duration of flight periods. Results showed that on average adult beetles flew 2 300 m within a 24-h period, but were able to fly up to 13 667 m. In addition, the impact of parameters such as: nutrition (starved/fed), mating status (virgin/mated), age (young/old) and body size was also studied. It was found that nutrition and age had the greatest impacts on flight. Adult beetles more than 5 days old and which had been fed had the greater overall flight performance. However, mating status, sex and body size had a minimal effect on flight performance. It is noted that these results revealed higher dispersal capabilities than those which had been previously recorded.
Sources
Lopez VM, Hoddle MS, Francese JA, Lance DR, Ray AM (2017) Assessing flight potential of the invasive Asian longhorned beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) with computerized flight mills. Journal of Economic Entomology 110(3), 1070-1077.