Visual cues enhance effectiveness of pheromone-baited traps for the corn earworm moth, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

ABSTRACT: Mate-finding and host localization by nocturnal moths are predominantly mediated by olfactory signals and cues, respectively. Nevertheless, some nocturnal moth species rely on olfactory and visual cues to locate resources, such as flowers. Although traps are indispensable for the detection and monitoring of corn earworm moths, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), a generalist and highly destructive crop pest, the role of visual cues in locating a pheromone source is poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether trap color influences the trap catch of the corn earworm. We showed that trap design affected male H. zea trap catch, with Hartstack-type traps being more effective than bucket traps, and more H. zea males were trapped in light-colored traps (white, yellow). However, under the dim ambient n

SUBMITTER: Kwadha CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12034308 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature