Flight-behavior
Guides
Cicindelidia trifasciata ascendens
Ascendent Tiger Beetle, Three-lined Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia trifasciata ascendens is a subspecies of tiger beetle commonly found in coastal salt marsh habitats along the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is recognized by its dark brown dorsal coloration and distinctive thin, sinuous, S-shaped middle elytral maculation. The subspecies is notably active and flighty, particularly during hot afternoon conditions. It has been documented as far north as Missouri as a rare vagrant, but its core range centers on saline coastal wetlands from Texas through Florida.
Diabrotica barberi
northern corn rootworm
Diabrotica barberi, the northern corn rootworm, is a chrysomelid beetle native to North America and a major pest of corn (Zea mays). Larvae feed on corn roots, causing significant economic damage, while adults feed on corn silks, pollen, and leaves. Unlike the western corn rootworm, D. barberi has not developed resistance to Bt traits in Iowa as of 2019-2020 surveys. The species exhibits extended diapause in some populations, with eggs remaining dormant for multiple years before hatching. Research indicates its flight behavior differs from D. virgifera, with shorter but more frequent flights and less sustained long-distance movement.
Pityogenes bidentatus
Pityogenes bidentatus is a European bark beetle that colonizes Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). The species exhibits sophisticated olfactory-mediated behaviors for host location, including attraction to aggregation pheromone components (grandisol and cis-verbenol) and active avoidance of nonhost volatiles. Its behavioral response to monoterpene odors is context-dependent: avoidance occurs during flight but not during walking, likely representing distinct sensory mechanisms for long-range host discrimination versus short-range gallery establishment.
bark-beetleScolytinaePinus-sylvestrisaggregation-pheromoneolfactory-behaviorhost-selectionmonoterpene-avoidancecontext-dependent-plasticitynonhost-avoidancenorthern-Europegrandisolcis-verbenol1-octene-3-olβ-caryophylleneflight-behaviorwalking-behaviorelectroantennographypopulation-genetics-modelnematode-associationBursaphelenchus-pinophilusnematangiaCzech-Republicmixed-forestconifer-forestScots-pineNorway-sprucenonhost-volatileschemical-ecologyinsect-plant-interactionsherbivore-host-rangesensory-ecologybehavioral-plasticitypheromone-ecologyforest-entomologyinvasive-potential-(North-America-records)Spoladea
beet webworm, Hawaiian beet webworm, amaranth leaf-webber
Spoladea is a genus of Crambidae moths containing two described species, with S. recurvalis being a significant agricultural pest of amaranth, spinach, and sugar beet across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus was established by Guenée in 1854. S. recurvalis has achieved nearly cosmopolitan distribution through human-mediated dispersal and is subject to intensive study for molecular mechanisms of pheromone production, flight behavior, and host plant interactions to support integrated pest management.