EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL PHEROMONE LURES FOR MONITORING ARMYWORM (SPODOPTERA SPP.) IN ORGANIC SWEET CORN (ZEA MAYS L.)

A study of the attractiveness of commercially available pheromone lures for monitoring fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) was conducted in spring 2007 and 2008 in organically grown sweet corn. Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), beet armyworm (BAW) Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), southern armyworm (SAW) Spodoptera eridania, and natural enemies were also monitored in this study. In 2007, FAW populations were low and there was no significant difference in FAW captures among lure types. In 2008, FAW populations were higher compared with 2007, and traps baited with Trécé lures captured significantly more FAW compared with the Hercon and Scentry lures. Lure type did not have a significant effect on cob weight infested with FAW and marketable yield. Beet armyworm populations were significantly higher than southern armyworm populations in both 2007 and 2008. The ladybird beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guerin Meneville was the only natural enemy captured consistently throughout the study period. There was no significant difference in H. convergens captures among lure types. The findings from this study suggest that traps baited with Trécé lures attracted more FAW in the study site. As expected, the higher trap captures had no significant effect on the number of cobs infested with FAW and marketable yield. Commercial lure formulations vary in attractiveness to FAW. Growers need to select the most attractive lure for early detection of FAW so that management strategies can be applied before they reach damaging levels.