Suction trap studies of the potato mothPhthorimaea operculella(Zeller) and some observations on its biology

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Abstract
Hourly suction trap catches of potato moth adults, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), were observed in relation to time, temperature, and windspeed. Flight activity peaked at dusk and the nightly catch was proportional to the total number of hours with a temperature greater than 14°c, which was taken to be the field threshold temperature of flight. Potato moth flight was restricted largely to breezes of less than 6 m/sec. Growth of the adult and larval potato moth populations was monitored. Volatile components extracted from fresh potato leaves by steam distillation made moths active, eliciting a possible searching-type response. A suggested mechanism of dispersal is discussed.