Monitoring and surveillance of Helicoverpa spp. in agronomic fields in Florida

Species of the genus Helicoverpa are economic pests of crops around the world. Helicoverpa zea is widely distributed in the New World, causing significant economic damage each year. Since 2013, Helicoverpa armigera has been reported as an invasive species in South and Central America. In 2015, three males were reported in Florida. Helicoverpa armigera is a close relative to the native H. zea. If established in Florida, H. armigera could impact significant commodities such as cotton, corn, and other specialty crops. Helicoverpa zea and Helicoverpa armigera are morphologically identical. Genitalia dissection of male moths is necessary to distinguish between adult species. Larvae and adult identification can be sped up using molecular analysis. In this continuous monitoring survey, we used tri-color bucket traps baited with H. armigera pheromone lures to monitor Helicoverpa spp. in different host crops in Florida. This year-round survey was conducted using 25 traps in North Central Florida (NCF) and 25 traps in the Florida Panhandle (FP). Samples collected from each trap location were counted and shipped to a USDA-APHIS facility for screening and identification using molecular methods. Over the 2019-2020 season in NCF, there was higher male H. zea trap catch on farms planted with corn and sorghum compared to cotton. The highest trap catch occurred in May for NCF and in July for the FP. In addition, high populations of male H. zea were found in fields planted with cotton compared to those planted with vegetables in the FP. No H. armigera were detected in 2019-2020.