Evaluation of commercial trap types and lures on the population dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its effects on non-targets insects

Abstract

The trapping efficacy and specificity of a commercially available two types of traps; funnel and delta traps, two types of lures; botrack (sex pheromone) and femtrack (floral attractant) were evaluated to determine the population dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its effects on non-target insects under field condition of Dandi district during 2018/2019. The result obtained indicates that the funnel-botrack was captured H. armigera moth more profoundly than the other treatments, followed by a femtrack with the same kinds of trap. Likely, funnel-botrack was less effect on non-target insects than the other treatment combinations. Funnel types were more effective than sticky traps in catching H. armigera. Delta traps captured the highest number of non-target insects and recorded the lowest capture of H. armigera moths. Significantly more non-target moths were captured in delta-femtrack and delta-botrack treatments. Across all traps and lure combinations, 6,332 non-target insects were collected, belonging to five major insect orders. The most commonly collected insect orders in descending order were Diptera -> Lepidoptera -> Coleoptera -> Hymenoptera or at a family level, Noctuidae -> Tachinidae -> Muscidae were common in traps baited with H. armigera lures. We noted that, two population peaks in Ethiopia. Our results suggest that the funnel-botrack combination was efficient and specific to capture H. armigera under the agro-ecology of the Dandi district in Ethiopia.