Flight activity and dispersal of Bathycoelia thalassina Hemiptera, Pentatomidae
The studies were made both in the field and in the laboratory. The bulk of Bathycoelia thalassina dispersal occurs at the adult stage although dispersal was observed at the larval stage. The adults fly spontaneously from tree to tree in cocoa farms but in the open field, they initially fly in a spiral or zig-zag formation for about 2 s before going on a straight course. The average speed of flight for an adult male and female was 4.4 m/s and 4.2 m/s respectively. Before B. thalassina takes off from a tree, it drops first for about half a metre. B. thalassina probably in migratory flights were caught in light traps a month before the population peak, but in the same month as the egg laying periods which extend further into the peak seasons. It is concluded that B. thalassina is a fast flier and that its dispersal at this time is in search of alternative host plants and for oviposition sites. The threshold temperatura for flight was estimated to be 18 centigrade grade
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
1977
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| Subjects: | THEOBROMA CACAO, BATHYCOELIA THALASSINA, INSECTOS DAÑINOS, COMPORTAMIENTO, VUELO, ECOLOGIA ANIMAL, GHANA, |
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