Changes in spatial distribution pattern during the larval stage of the fall webworm, <i>Hyphantria cunea</i> drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Summary The changes in spatial distribution pattern during larval stage of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea were quantitatively investigated in the field experimental populations. The female adult deposits eggs as a cluster and the hatchlings make a compact colonial‐web. In this period, the all‐or‐none type mortality which is characteristic in gregarious insect species was occasionary recognized before spinning a compact colonial‐web. Once making a compact colonial‐web, the larvae feed the leaves in the colonial‐web up to about 5th instar. In this period, the movement of larvae occurred due to the local food shortage in a colonial‐web and the expansion of colonial‐web. As the larvae developed, the colonial‐web was separated into several small groups. These larvae began to disperse about 5th instar. In this period, the local food shortage seems to be an important trigger for the larval dispersal. The mean concentration of larvae on leaves abruptly decreased, and finally the larvae became solitary at the 6th or 7th instars. The dispersal process in later larval stage is not necessarily due to the complete food shortage. The dispersal prior to the occurrence of food shortage may be a safety mechanism to protect the larvae from the food shortage.