Study reveals flight capabilities of invasive box tree moth, explaining rapid global spread
Researchers using flight mills found that adult box tree moths can fly an average of 18 km over their lifetime, with some females reaching up to 150 km, helping explain the species' rapid colonization of 40 countries in less than two decades. The moth's natural dispersal abilities vary by generation, sex, and mating status, with overwintering moths showing the highest flight capacity at 22 km average. These findings suggest the insect's own flight performance, combined with human-mediated transport through ornamental plant trade, has driven its invasive success.
A bioRxiv preprint study examined the flight performance of Cydalima perspectalis, the box tree moth that has invaded multiple continents and caused significant damage to boxwood trees. Using computer-monitored flight mills under controlled conditions, researchers measured how far adult moths could fly across their lifespan, finding an average distance of 18 km but with substantial variation—some females demonstrated long-distance flights exceeding 150 km. Flight distance correlated with age and body mass, and mated females flew farther than virgin ones, though extended dispersal appeared to reduce reproductive output. The overwintering generation showed superior flight capabilities (22 km average) compared to late summer generations (10 km average). The study concludes that the moth's inherent dispersal abilities, combined with accidental human transport via the ornamental plant trade, explain both its rapid local expansion and intercontinental spread.
Limitations & open questions
The study does not discuss potential management or control strategies based on these flight capability findings, nor does it address how climate change might affect future dispersal patterns or whether flight performance varies across different invaded geographic regions.
What different sources said
- bioRxivCenter
Flight performance of the highly invasive box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
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