In summer, 87.8% males and 81.4% potato tuber moth females emerged during the photophase and rest in the scotopbase. The peak period of emergence was between 0700 to 0900 h and 0900 to 1100 h for male- and female adults, respectively during summer. Almost similar trend was observed during winter months except peak period of emergence was delayed by 2 hrs for both the sexes. Emergence and post emergenee (wing stretching and drying) behavioural sequence took longer time in winter than in summer, suggesting the greater activity of this moth at higher temperature.
During pre-mating period, female moth assumes a ‘Calling’ pose during which she produces and retracts her ovipositor from the abdominal tip alternately. Male moth performs swift flight behaviour around the ‘Calling’ female during pre-mating period. Male moth touches the female by its antennae or foretarsi either alternately or simultaneously. Then male abdomen gets curved around the female abdomen in such a way that the heads of both the sexes face in the same direction. After engaging claspers successfully with the female abdomen, male moth turns at once (ca. 180°) so that mating position is tail to tail. Mated female rejects the courting males either by pressing her wings tightly against her abdomen or she flies away from the males.
