Historical Timing of Cotton Bollworm and Tobacco Budworm Moth Flight in Phillips County Arkansas

Cotton production in Phillips County has and will continue to be a major crop.  To assist producers in making decisions in controlling bollworm (helicoverapa zea) and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) an annual series of moth traps were established to sample populations of each species of moths in the area.  This knowledge was not only valuable to cotton producers but other crops grown in the area as well.  The overall purpose of this project was to see if  an increased moth count could be predicted by using historical data.  IF this was possible it would allow both local supplier and producers to be more aware of the situation as well as being prepared ahead of time for this insect.  Data was gathered and analyzed from 2008 to 2011 to try to predict the peak of both the bollworm and tobacco budworm flights.  Initial examination showed no relationship between time of year and peak moth flight for either species, but may change upon further examination.  Cotton moth trapping will continue in Phillips County to provide information to local producers in management decisions.