Non-target Lepidopteran insects specifically attracted to sex pheromone lures for Helicoverpa armigera and H. assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Sex pheromone lures usually attract the target species very specifically; however, non-target species are often also specifically attracted. Non-target species attracted to a sex pheromone lure could lead to technical problems in pest monitoring. In this study, non-target lepidopteran species specifically attracted to the sex pheromone lures for the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and the oriental tobacco budworm, H. assulta (Guenée) were examined in four open fields in Tsu City, Mie, Japan. In addition to specific attraction by the target species, ten (Mythimna turca Linnæus, M. hamifera (Walker), Orbona fragariae pallidior Warren, Xylena fumosa (Butler), X. formosa (Butler), Telorta acuminata (Butler), Sufetula sunidesalis Walker, Parapediasia teterella Zincken, Leuroperna sera (Meyrick), and Evippe syrictis (Meyrick)) and one (Lymantria dispar (Linnæus)) lepidopteran species were specifically attractedto the lures for H. armigera and H. assulta, respectively. Among these, M. turca and M. hamifera were considered to be the species susceptible to be erroneous determination when H. armigera are counted mechanically or by inexperienced investigators.