Recapture of marked black cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) males after long-range transport

Surface synoptic weather maps, atmospheric trajectory forecasts, and observational upper-air reports (radiosonde data) were used to estimate the relative displacement of black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), moths dyed with Calco Red N-1700 from two release sites. Among significant ( P < 0.05) average capture of natural males on 13–15 June 1984, were two marked by Calco Red (Passaic Color and Chemical Company, Paterson, N.J.), one near Elkhart, Iowa (41°30'N latitude), and the other near Centerville, Iowa (40°45'N latitude), 1,142 and 1,043 air km, respectively, from Crowley, La., where 6,928 males were released 4–11 June 1984. A release of 9,799 males (capable of flight) on 16–28 May 1985 resulted in captures of three males marked by Calco Red, among significant ( P < 0.05) captures of natural moths, one observed near Bates City, Mo. (39°00'N latitude), one near Sac City, Iowa (42°30'N latitude), and a third near Shawnee Mission, Kans. (39°00'N latitude). These marked moths were recovered 960, 1,175, and 921 air km, respectively, from the release site (College Station, Tex.). A release of 3,520 males (capable of flight) on 17–21 July 1985 resulted in a single marked male being observed 24 July near Rock Rapids, Iowa, 1,266 air km north of College Station. Seemingly, many of the captured natural and all of the recaptured marked moths were capable of arriving in the trapping zones in two to four nights. The atmospheric low-level jet (300–900-m elevation) and a surface synoptic system of low pressure over the Plains states (that induces air flow northward) are theorized as being necessary for moth transport.