Moth Mating Success Gypsy moth is an introduced forest pest insect in North America. Gypsy moth females attract males using pheromone communication. Our objective was to measure mating success of gypsy moth females in sparse populations beyond the leading edge and compare it to male catch rate in pheromone-baited traps. Methods Nine plots were selected in the area recently infested by gypsy moth in Virginia and West Virginia.
Dead males taken from the trap look nice.
Tethering did not interfere with mating . Females were dissected and their spermatheca was analyzed for the presence of sperm. The spermatheca in fertilized females was filled with sperm. The spermatheca of unfertilized females was transparent and empty. Relationship between male catch in pheromone traps and mating probability .