Heliothine Trap Counts, May 22, 2024

Below are the trap catches in pheromone traps for corn earworm (bollworm) and tobacco budworm. The numbers reported are the average trap catch in the county for the week. There are 3-4 traps for each species placed in each reported county. Because these traps are using a pheromone lure, they are catching male moths only, which do not always correspond to larval densities in nearby fields. Moth trap catches can vary based on temperature, the number of competing female moths calling, and wind currents around the trap. Oviposition habits of females (and therefore larval densities) are greatly influenced by the local crop mix and the stage of growth. As a result, moth trap catches can be used as an indicator of the potential for infestation, but are not a replacement for actual field scouting. I will try to report trap catches weekly. For the week ending May 22, bollworm counts were relatively high, especially in the Delta, while tobacco budworms were low.