Nondestructive Temperature and Radiance Measurements on Night Flying Moths

Measurements are given of the temperature and ir emission of three species of night-flying moths. A radiometric microscope was utilized to make nondestructive measurements of the vibrating moths and also to measure the ir reflectivity of the dull-colored wing scales of the moths. The possible utilization of coherent and incoherent ir signals in the communication systems of the insects is discussed.