Patterns of Occurrence of Heliothis spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), 1983-1985

Occurrence and distribution of Heliothis zea (Boddie) and H. virescens (F.) throughout the central United States are described for 1983-1985. Data were obtained from about 100 cooperators using standard traps and pheromone lures. H. zea generally occurred earlier, in greater numbers, and over a greater area than H. virescens. The dates of first catch at individual locations varied considerably among years, but overall trends as shown by regressions of date of first catch on latitude agreed quite closely with the seasonal progressions of H. zea of first catch in blacklight traps reported in 1965. The data base will be available for planning wide-area Heliothis management strategies and for development and validation of other models to predict occurrence and movement of these species.