Old World Bollworm

Survey in Progress

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and your State 

or Territorial government need your help to track and prevent 

the spread of an invasive pest called the old world bollworm 

(Helicoverpa armigera). The traps we are placing on or near 

host plants in your area are part of an important survey for 

adult bollworm moths. Please do not move the traps and, if 

asked, please allow us to place traps on your private property. 

Old world bollworm is a significant threat for agricultural 

industries. It attacks a wide range of high-value crops and 

other plants, including corn, cotton, small grains, soybeans, 

peppers, and tomatoes, just to name a few. This pest was 

found in Puerto Rico in 2014. If old world bollworm were to 

spread into the continental United States, it could seriously 

harm U.S. agricultural production, the environment, and 

our economy.

To fight this threat, USDA is partnering with State departments 

of agriculture to carry out old world bollworm surveys in 

Puerto Rico and throughout the United States. Our goal is to 

find new infestations early—before populations can establish, 

multiply, and spread. Your cooperation in these efforts is 

essential to conduct a full and complete survey and to help 

stop the spread of this unwanted pest. 

Pupa (P. Mazzei, Bugwood.org)

Larva (Merle Shepard, Gerald R. 

Carner, and P.A.C Ooi, Insects and 

Their Natural Enemies Associated 

with Vegetables and Soybean in 

Southeast Asia, Bugwood.org)

Adult male (USDA-APHIS, Plant 

Protection and Quarantine)

Adult female (Gyorgy Csoka, 

Hungary Forest Research Institute, 

Bugwood.org)

Old world bollworm trap (USDAAPHIS, Plant Protection and 

Quarantine) 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

State Departments of Agriculture

Program Aid No. 2159 • Issued April 2015
Q. Is the old world bollworm a serious pest?

A. Yes. The old world bollworm is a serious pest and a major 

threat to U.S. agriculture. It has a wide host range, including 

many high-value crops, and it is capable of spreading 

quickly. Old world bollworm moths (adults) can fly up to 

6 miles in search of host material and can be carried even 

longer distances by wind. 

Q. Where should I look for this pest? 

A. Look for old world bollworm adults, larvae, or signs of 

damage on host plants. Damage occurs when the larvae 

feed on host plant leaves or bore into the host’s flowers and 

fruit and feed within the plant. In some cases, you may need 

to cut open the fruit to detect the pest.

Q. I found an insect that looks like the old world 

bollworm. What should I do?

A. Contact your local Extension office (www.nifa.usda.

gov/Extension) or State agriculture department (www.

nationalplantboard.org/member) as soon as possible. A 

qualified entomologist must dissect the insect or use DNA 

analysis to accurately identify old world bollworm. It is similar 

to many species of cutworms and to the corn earworm 

(Helicoverpa zea)—a major pest in the United States. Based 

on looks alone, it’s impossible to tell them apart. 

Q. What do old world bollworm traps look like, and how 

do they work?

A. The trap is a white plastic bucket with a snap-on yellow 

middle cap and a green lid. The trap is about 8 inches tall 

and is either secured to a freestanding pole in the field or 

hung from the ceiling in greenhouses. The traps are baited 

with a lure that attracts the male moth. Once the male moth 

enters a trap, it falls into the bucket and is killed by a small 

insecticidal strip.

Q. Are the old world bollworm traps safe?

A. The traps pose no risk to people, pets, or wildlife. 

Q. How can I support the old world bollworm survey?

A. Talk to your family and friends about the survey and why 

it’s important. The traps are placed in or near fields of host 

plants—please do not move the traps. If you see one on 

the ground, call the phone number on the green lid (or the 

number listed in the box below) to report it. Also, if asked, 

please allow survey personnel to place traps on your private 

property. We need your cooperation to help detect old world 

bollworm and keep it from spreading. 

Q. Where can I get more information about old world 

bollworm?

A. You can learn more about this pest at HungryPests.com. 

If you have questions about the survey or wish to report 

a fallen trap, call the number listed below, or contact your 

State agriculture department (www.nationalplantboard.org/

member) or nearest USDA office (www.aphis.usda.gov/

planthealth/sphd).