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
Science
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