Individual tracking reveals long-distance flight-path control in a nocturnally migrating moth
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Each year, trillions of insects make long-range seasonal migrations. These movements are relatively well understood at a population level, but how individual insects achieve them remains elusive. Behavioral responses to conditions en route are little studied, primarily owing to the challenges of tracking individual insects. Using a light aircraft and individual radio tracking, we show that nocturnally migrating death's-head hawkmoths maintain control of their flight trajectories over long distances. The moths did not just fly with favorable tailwinds; during a given night, they also adjusted for head and crosswinds to precisely hold course. This behavior indicates that the moths use a sophisticated internal compass to maintain seasonally beneficial migratory trajectories independent of wind conditions, illuminating how insects traverse long distances to take advantage of seasonal resources.
Journal
Science
Publication Name
N/A
Volume
377
ISBN/ISSN
1095-9203
Edition
N/A
Issue
6607
Pages Count
5
Location
N/A
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
N/A
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1126/science.abn1663