Search behavior of pheromone-stimulated potato tuber moth males (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The processes of female searching by male potato tuber moths,Phthorimaea operculella, were analyzed. The behavioral components to copulation were antennal cleaning, quiescence, walking, wing fanning, contact with female, hair brush display, copulation attempt, and copulation. Males did not always succeed in mating on their first attempt. Searching behavior of males changes to “area-restricted searching” after contact with a female. Males could, therefore, find females efficiently and copulate.