Assessment of Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations in Azorean pastures by light and pheromone traps.

Vieira, Virgílio; Oliveira, Luísa; Garcia, Patrícia; Tavares, João

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/181

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Abstract(s)

The number of larvae and seasonal flight activity of the true armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), were monitored during three consecutive years (1992-1994) in pastures in S. Miguel island. P. unipuncta adult flight activity, monitored by light and pheromone traps, varied significantly with altitude, year or season, but was positively correlated between these two trapping systems. The adult sex ratio did not deviate significantly from 1:1. The number of adults captured influenced the performance of the two types of traps, with pheromone trap being more effective at low density of moths. Temperature affected the number of adults captured in light and pheromone traps. Consistent patterns occur year after year, especially between July and October, months with high temperatures associated with some rainfall, corresponding to conditions that are suitable for the growth of the armyworm. The highest number of adults and larvae was observed during the summer and in early autumn. The number of larvae was significantly correlated to the number of adults caught in pheromone traps and in light traps, at all the localities. The use of light and particularly pheromone traps can be very useful for monitoring the population abundance of P. unipuncta in Azorean pastures, as part of integrated pest management programs.