Chen, Hui, Wan, Guijun, Jianchun, Li, Ma, Yibo, Reynolds, Don ORCID: 0000-0001-8749-7491 , Dreyer, David, Warrant, Eric J., Chapman, Jason W. and Hu, Gao ORCID: 0000-0002-1000-5687 (2023) Adaptive migratory orientation of an invasive pest on a new continent. iScience, 26 (12):108281. pp. 1-8. ISSN 2589-0042 (doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.108281)

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Abstract

Many species of insects undertake long-range, seasonally reversed migrations, displaying sophisticated orientation behaviors to optimize their migratory trajectories. However, when invasive insects arrive in new biogeographical regions, it is unclear if migrants retain (or how quickly they regain) ancestral migratory traits, such as seasonally preferred flight headings. Here we present behavioral evidence that an invasive migratory pest, the fall armyworm moth (Spodoptera frugiperda), a native of the Americas, exhibited locally adaptive migratory orientation less than three years after arriving on a new continent. Specimens collected from China showed flight orientations directed north-northwest in spring and southwest in autumn, and this would promote seasonal forward and return migrations in East Asia. We also show that the driver of the seasonal switch in orientation direction is photoperiod. Our results thus provide a clear example of an invasive insect that has rapidly exhibited adaptive migratory behaviors, either inherited or newly evolved, in a completely alien environment.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	fall armyworm; spodoptera frugiperda; migration; China; flight heading
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QL Zoology S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Agriculture, Health & Environment Department
Last Modified:	22 Mar 2024 16:20
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/46455

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