Helicoverpa Zea and Helicoverpa Armigera Pheromone Lures: Male Moth Response to 'Texas Traps' and 'Green Bucket Traps'

An ongoing study has been conducted in the Texas High Plains to investigate the seasonal moth flight activity patterns of Helicoverpa spp. captured on the following trapping treatments: 1) Two different types of traps (Texas trap vs. Green Bucket trap), and 2) Pheromone lures obtained from several sources that were designed to trap H. zea and H. armigera. The primary objectives of the study were to: 1) Investigate the effectiveness of species-specific pheromone lures obtained from two vendors, and 2) Determine the efficiency of two different trap designs in capturing Helicoverpa spp. moths. Trap type x pheromone lure combinations treatments were deployed in early July, followed by all traps being monitored and the captured moths counted approximately weekly through mid-November. All traps were re-baited with fresh lures approximately every two weeks. Sub-samples of up to 25 moths per trap per sample date are currently in the process of being dissected to determine if Texas High Plains moth populations contained any H. armigera. Trap x lure efficiencies in capturing Helicoverpa spp. will be discussed.