Flight Capacity of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky in Relation to Gender and Temperature

The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, is a major insect pest of stored grain worldwide. We evaluated flight of maize weevils by using a 26-channel computer-monitored flight-mill system to estimate total flight distance, total flight duration, and mean flight velocity at different temperatures. Temperature but not gender influenced propensity of maize weevils to fly. Flight distances and durations varied, but warm temperatures (34°C) diminished the ability of female maize weevils to fly. Despite apparent temperature-based patterns in flight parameters of males, effects of temperature on male flight ability were not statistically demonstrated. The effect of temperature on flight velocity was similar for both genders and indicated greater flight velocity at 28°C than at 22 or 31°C. Knowledge of differences in flight capacity between genders and among temperatures provides insights to consider for management of this major insect pest of stored grain.