Potential Oviposition Substrates

Research Issue

Nun moth has the potential to be transported via commerce because eggs are laid in crevices of bark and could be laid in the cracks of vehicles or cargo such as containers, pallets, ships, etc.  Adults are readily attracted to artificial lights and have been observed on Russian ships in Far East ports.  There was no information on how readily nun moths would use plastic, metal or wood cracks for ovipositon.

Our Research 

Adult females were provided plastic, metal, wood or cardboard cracks to use for oviposition in a no choice test.  The number of eggs laid on each substrate was determined.  Further work providing choices between substrates is needed.

Expected Outcomes

Information on the substrates that female nun moths will use for oviposition to direct searches for eggs on vessels and cargo.

Research Results

When bark cracks (their usual oviposition substrate) are not available, nun moths will lay their eggs in plastic, metal or wood cracks.  This could increase the potential introduction when transportation terminals are adjacent to lights and outbreaks of nun moth.

Research Participants

Principal Investigators

• Melody Keena, USDA Forest Service- Northern Research Station Research Entomologist
• Toni Withers, New Zealand Forest Research Institute

Last Modified: 09/18/2009

For further details log on website :
https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/invasive_species/nun_moth/risk_detection_spread/oviposition_substrates/