The effects of pheromone concentration on the flight behaviour of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholitha molesta

ABSTRACT. Male oriental fruit moths, Grapholitha molesta (Busck) (Tortricidae), flew at lower overall and net ground velocities when they flew toward higher concentration pheromone sources. Turning frequency was greater with increased pheromone concentration, while the distance of turns from the plume axis back towards the axis decreased. Turning magnitude and inter‐reversal track angles remained constant at all concentrations tested. Concomitant with the changes in ground velocity but constant inter‐reversal angles, were decreases in airspeed, decreases in the moths' course angles and increases in their drift angles. The significance of these changes is discussed in relation to their possible role in a longitudinal chemoklinotactic programme of turning operating in conjunction with anemotaxis to allow location of a pheromone source in wind.