Flight behaviour of Leptinotarsa decemlineata
In Massachusetts, US, experiments were carried out to study the flight behaviour of overwintered Leptinotarsa decemlineata (EPPO A2 pest).
Colorado beetles were collected in spring from infested fields and were fed potato foliage or left unfed. Unfed Colorado beetles flew more often, for longer periods and for greater distances than their fed companions. Unfed female beetles flew an average of 4879 m while fed females flew only an average of 1346 m.
The authors suggest that flight appears to have an important role in Colorado beetle finding host-plants after winter diapause.
Sources
Ferro, D.N.; Tuttle, A.F.; Weber, D.C. (1991) Ovipositional and flight behavior of overwintered Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).
Environmental Entomology 20, 1309-1314.