Monitoring of Helicoverpa (= Heliothis) Armigera (Hubner) moths with light and pheromone traps in India

Abstract

Light and pheromone trap networks were used to monitor and compare moth catches of Helicoverpa (= Heliothis) armigera (Hubner) in both types of traps at many locations across India. There were obvious changes with latitude in flight patterns and in the correlation between light and pheromone trap catches. At northern locations, the correlation between light and pheromone trap catches were higher as compared to southern locations. The traps located in the central part of India showed correlations, intermediate between those of northern and southern locations. Pheromone traps were thus found suitable for monitoring at northern and central locations. At southern locations, where light and pheromone trap catches differ considerably at different times of the year, both types of traps should be operated simultaneously for better monitoring of this insect. Good correlations were found between larval population and light and pheromone trap catches of H. armigera at Patancheru, one of the southern locations in India.