The spectral sensitivity of the compound eye in three gypsy moth species from six different geographical regions (Lymantria dispar asiatica Vnukovskij [Asian gypsy moth], Lymantria dispar japonica Motschulsky [Japanese gypsy moth], and Lymantria dispar dispar L. [North American gypsy moth]) was tested electrophysiologically in the wavelength region 300–700 nm. For all moths examined, a maximum response occurred in the 480–520-nm range (blue-green region) with a shoulder peak occurring at 460 nm. A smaller, secondary peak was observed for both sexes at the 340–380-nm range, which is in the region considered behaviorally maximal in night-flying insects. No peaks in sensitivity were observed between 520 and 700 nm (red region) for any of the moths tested. Based on our retinal recording data, a short wavelength blocking filter with a transition wavelength near 500 nm should reduce gypsy moth attraction to artificial lighting sources. This would help reduce the number of Lymantria-infested ships traveling to and from foreign ports.
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1 April 2014
A Comparison of Electrophysiologically Determined Spectral Responses in Six Subspecies of Lymantria
Damon J. Crook,
Helen M. Hull-Sanders,
Emily L. Hibbard,
Victor C. Mastro
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Journal of Economic Entomology
Vol. 107 • No. 2
April 2014
Vol. 107 • No. 2
April 2014
electroretinogram
gypsy moth
Lymantria
spectral sensitivity