Seasonal patterns of capture of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Heliothis phloxiphaga (Grote and Robinson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in pheromone traps in Washington State

In each of the 6 years of this study in south central Washington state, male corn earworm moths, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), first appeared in pheromone traps in late May to mid June, and thereafter were present nearly continuously until mid to late October. Maximum numbers of male corn earworm moths captured in pheromone traps occurred in August and early September. Male  Heliothis phloxiphaga (Grote and Robinson) moths first appeared in traps baited with corn earworm pheromone and conspecific pheromone in April, and were generally present throughout the season until mid to late September. In some years, two peaks of trap capture of H. phloxiphaga males was suggestive of two generations per season, with one flight in April and May and the other in July and August.  Although both species were caught primarily in traps baited with their appropriate conspecific pheromone, smaller numbers of both species were captured in traps baited with the heterospecific pheromone.  Heliothis phloxiphaga captured in corn earworm pheromone traps can be misidentified as corn earworm, resulting in false positives for corn earworm in commercial sweet corn or overestimates of corn earworm populations

Seasonal patterns of capture of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Heliothis phloxiphaga (Grote and Robinson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in pheromone traps in Washington State

In each of the 6 years of this study in south central Washington state, male corn earworm moths, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), first appeared in pheromone traps in late May to mid June, and thereafter were present nearly continuously until mid to late October. Maximum numbers of male corn earworm moths captured in pheromone traps occurred in August and early September. Male  Heliothis phloxiphaga (Grote and Robinson) moths first appeared in traps baited with corn earworm pheromone and conspecific pheromone in April, and were generally present throughout the season until mid to late September. In some years, two peaks of trap capture of H. phloxiphaga males was suggestive of two generations per season, with one flight in April and May and the other in July and August.  Although both species were caught primarily in traps baited with their appropriate conspecific pheromone, smaller numbers of both species were captured in traps baited with the heterospecific pheromone.  Heliothis phloxiphaga captured in corn earworm pheromone traps can be misidentified as corn earworm, resulting in false positives for corn earworm in commercial sweet corn or overestimates of corn earworm populations