Neotropical Entomology (2021) 50, 53-67

Alexandre Specht, Daniel Ricardo Sosa-Gómez, Danielly Albuquerque Medeiros Rios, Vander Célio Matos Claudino, Silvana Vieira Paula-Moraes, Juaci Vitória Malaquias, Fernando Antônio Macena Silva and Vânia Ferreira Roque-Specht (2021)
Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil: the big outbreak monitored by light traps
Neotropical Entomology 50 (1), 53-67
Abstract: The first detection of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil pointed to a gloomy future for South American agriculture in the 2012/2013 harvest, and insecticide sales increased exponentially during 2013 and 2014. However, after this outbreak, the population of this insect returned to manageable levels. This study documents data on H. armigera moth collection using light traps during the outbreak in two locations: (a) western region of the state of Bahia, including population levels of H. armigera and main noctuid pests during the big outbreak (February and March 2013); (b) Federal District, including monthly data for five growing seasons (July 2012–June 2017). During the outbreak, an average of 527.3 moths were collected per trap (cotton crop, March) in the western region of Bahia each night, while the maximum average in the Federal District was 75.4 moths (January). The number of moths decreased in the following growing seasons, and in October 2016, the maximum number was 2.8 moths per trap. Aspects related to the variations of H. armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) populations, including the study of phenology and relationship with climatic factors and Oceanic Niño Index, were analyzed and discussed. All aspects are approached to contribute to the management of lepidopteran pests, especially H. armigera, in the productive systems of the Brazilian Cerrado.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Daniel R. Sosa-Gomez

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Helicoverpa armigera		Brazil (south)
	Helicoverpa armigera	Cotton (Gossypium)	Brazil (NE)