EFFECT OF WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION ON THE APPROACH OF SOYBEAN LOOPERS TO A PHEROMONE SOURCE IN THE FIELD

The influence of wind speed and direction on the attraction of soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), to a synthetic pheromone source in the field was investigated by employing a pheromone baited electric grid trap and a wind recording instrument. The 6-sided insect trap, with associated electronics, gave information on number and time of insect captures, and direction of their approach. Analysis of 2 years data showed that attraction of soybean loopers to the pheromone is not strongly influenced by wind speed over the range 0-2 m/s. There was evidence for a tendency of the attracted loopers to fly upwind to the pheromone source.