Light-trap catches of African armyworm moths, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in relation to rain and wind

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Abstract
The association between weather and light-trap catches of Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) was examined for four traps in East Africa, using whole–night catches and several years' data. Large increases in trap catch were found to be (1) significantly associated with rain at all four traps for the period December–March, but not for later in the season; (2) significantly associated with light wind periods at Muguga for December–May, but not later in the year, and not at Nakuru, due to the very high overall frequency of light winds there; and (3) not significantly associated with windshifts at either Muguga or Nakuru. These results suggest that high densities of flying moths, which may give rise to caterpillar outbreaks early in the year, often occur where the rather infrequent early–season rains fall.