Bollworm and budworm moth activity in the texas rolling plains

Cotton bollworm and tobacco budworm male moth traps were monitored weekly for 15 years to investigate seasonal flight activity patterns. Bollworm male moth traps were monitored daily for 11 years to quantify the effect of lunar cycles on moth generation cycles. Seasonal trends for both species were similar, although bollworm moth numbers captured per trap week were about 13 times larger than those for budworm moths. Mean seasonal abundance curves for both species, with upper confidence limits, were constructed so years of unusual moth severity could be determined. Daily trap data showed that the moon phase influenced the capture of bollworm moths as indicated by a significant positive correlation between trap catch and percentage moon illumination. Maximum bollworm trap catch occurred 71% of the time during the full moon followed by 1(st) quarter (11%), last quarter (9%) and new moon (9%). When traps were serviced weekly, the relationship between trap catch and lunar cycles was not apparent.

Proceedings of the 1999 Beltwide Cotton Conference, January 1999, Orlando, Florida, USA

Bollworm and budworm moth activity in the texas rolling plains Conference Paper