Factors Influencing Pheromone Trap Catches of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner

Effect of various factors namely; trap design, trap elevation, pheromone quality and its loading, and aging in the pheromone dispenser was studied on the catch efficiency of synthetic sex-pheromone ofHelicoverpa armigera Hb. at Karnal, Haryana, during 1987 to 1990. The sleeve traps having a 10 cm collar diameter and 3 cm clearance (CR) between the collar and the hood of the traps captured 81% of total moths. Improved sleeve traps were significantly superior to sleeve traps available in the market. Double cone traps (Texas model) captured three times more moths than the sleeve traps. Improved sleeve traps, baited with lures supplied by MIS. Pest control India, were as efficient as the double cone traps which captured six times more moths than ordinary traps baited with lure from Mis Pheromone India. Traps mounted at a height of 1.0 - 2.2 m above the ground captured significantly more moths than the traps fixed at 0.4 m. One rubber septum (pheromone dispenser) with 5 mg lure was as effective as six rubber septa or one septa with 30 mg lure. The pheromone dispensers lost their attractancy after 3 weeks.