ARS | Publication request: MONITORING ADULT FALL ARMYWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) POPULATIONS IN FLORIDA SUGARCANE USING PHEROMONE TRAPS

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 28, 2004
Publication Date: August 15, 2004
Citation: Hall, D.G., Meagher Jr, R.L., Nagoshi, R.N., Irey, M. 2004. Monitoring adult fall armyworm (lepidoptera: noctuidae) populations in florida sugarcane using pheromone traps. American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists.

Technical Abstract: The fall armyworm, Spodoptera fruigiperda, is a pest of occasional importance in Florida sugarcane. Sporadic outbreaks of the armyworm often occur in fields of young sugarcane during the spring or fall and can result in severe defoliation. Infestations can develop rapidly, and substanial defoliation can occur before infested fields are identified and tactics to control outbreaks applied. Traps baited with pheromones may hold potential for alerting growers to potential outbreaks before large numbers of larvae develop in cane. Five different commercial lures were evaluated for monitoring moths. These were screened for attractiveness to moths at six different locations in south Florida during 2003 and 2004. The greatest numbers of moths were collected in traps baited with Scenturion lures. PCR analyses indicated 99% of the moths collected during the study were 'rice strain' individuals. Follow-up surveys indicated infestations of larvae in young cane during the fall were also of the 'rice' strain. The ramifications of FAW infestations in cane being only one or the other of the FAW strains are not currently clear, however, molecular differences between the strains could indicate potential differences with respect to such things as insecticide susceptibility as well as biological control by diseases and other natural enemies.