Regional evaluation of optimal trap and lure combinations for capturing corn earworm moths in sweet corn

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

12:06 PM – 12:18 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 126 B, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

JM

John W. Mahas

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Cornell University
Geneva, New York

Co-Author(s)

CD

Christophe Duplais

Cornell University
Geneva, New York
DO

David Owens

Extension Specialist 1
University of Delaware
Georgetown, Delaware
Kelly A. Hamby

Assistant Professor
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
Galen Dively

Emeritus Professor
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
AH

Anders Huseth

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Thomas P. Kuhar

Professor
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
HD

Helene Doughty

Virginia Cooperative Extension
Eastville, Virginia
BC

Brian Currin

Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
BN

Brian Nault

Professor of Entomology
Cornell University
Geneva, New York

Corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) is a major pest of sweet corn in the eastern U.S. Insecticides are used to manage H. zea, with application frequency depending on moth abundance in the field; however, current guidelines need to be revised for newer insecticides. Pheromone-baited traps are used to assess moth abundance, but information is limited regarding which trap and lure attracts more moths. The objective of this study was to identify which trap and lure combination was most effective in capturing H. zea. In 2022 and 2023, H. zea moths were monitored in New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, with North Carolina added in 2023. Moths were monitored using modified Hartstack, Heliothis Scentry, and green bucket traps, with all pairwise combinations of Hercon, Scentry, Trece, and Alpha Scents H. zea lures. Results indicated that the modified Hartstack trap baited with Hercon lure was the best combination for capturing the most moths. Implications of these results for future H. zea monitoring and pest management decisions will be discussed.