ACCURACY OF AN AUTOMATIC SYSTEM USED WITH PHEROMONES TO DETECT AND COUNT TOBACCO BUDWORM (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE (SUBF, HELIOTHINAE)) AND BOLLWORM (HELIOTHIS-VIRESCENS (F)) AND (HELICOVERPA-ZEA (BODDIE)) MOTHS IN THE FIELD

An automatic moth detection system was more than 98% accurate in detecting either male bollworm (corn earworm) moths, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), near corn or tobacco budworm moths, Heliothis virescens (F.), near cotton during a 6-month period from May to October. A network of moth detector units, baited with sex pheromone lures for either species, provided moth abundance data on a continual basis. A telemetry signal was sent from these detector units each time a moth was detected, and a HQ base receiver and computer tallied the telemetry signals throughout the nighttime hours. Moth detection data reported from automatic detectors can be combined with estimates of egg or larvae densities determined from plant inspections and used to characterize population development and determine the need for applying insecticides. The cost of one or possibly two applications of pesticides could be eliminated by applying these toxins only when substantial increases in numbers of moths, eggs, or larvae are indicated.