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Old World Bollworm

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Antoine Guyonnet, Lépidoptères Poitou-Charentes, Bugwood.org

Old World bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is an important agricultural pest that

feeds on more than 180 plant species, including corn, cotton, small grains,

soybeans, peppers, and tomatoes. Adult moths are strong flyers; however, it is the

larvae (caterpillars) that cause serious damage by boring into the plant's flowers and
fruits and feeding inside.

Old World bollworm is native to Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. It was first

discovered in Brazil in 2012 and is now also present in South America and the

Caribbean. In 2014, the pest was found in Puerto Rico, and in 2015, specimens were

captured in Florida. In 2019, APHIS detected adults in areas adjacent to Chicago’s

O’Hare International Airport and is eradicating the isolated population. The pest has

not been found in agricultural areas.

What To Look For

Adult moths have a wingspan of about 1.4 inches and vary in color from light yellow

to greenish brown to orangish brown. Adults are active in the late afternoon and at

night.

Fully developed larvae can be up to 2 inches long and can range in color from bluish

green to brownish red. Signs of larval damage includes:

Holes bored into the base of flower buds, fruit, or bolls

Feeding damage to leaves and shoots

Young fruit or bolls that fall prematurely

Internal feeding damage to fruit

All Old World bollworm life stages are nearly identical to those of the native corn

earworm (Helicoverpa zea), and both species feed on the same plants. The two

species can only be distinguished from each other by a trained professional. Corn

earworm is found throughout most of North America, and there is a long history of

pest management for this species. Please report any strange and concerning

damage or specimen finds, including:

High levels of larval damage to crops

Sudden outbreaks of larvae

Damage to plants that has not been observed in the past

Finds of larvae in unusual locations

How To Prevent This Pest
Old World bollworm adults can fly long distances to lay eggs. They are also

migratory and can be carried by wind. Larvae (caterpillars) can hitchhike on fruits,

vegetables, plants, and other commodities. You can help prevent the spread of Old

World bollworm by:

Not transporting or mailing fresh fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, or plants into

your State or into the country unless U.S. agricultural inspectors have cleared

them first.

Allowing Federal, State, or local agricultural officials access to your property to

install and inspect insect monitoring traps.

How It Is Treated

Commercially available insecticide sprays and genetically modified crops that

contain a naturally occurring microorganism called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) may

control Old World bollworm. The protein produced by Bt is lethal to caterpillars. Both

Bt cotton and Bt corn are widely grown in the United States. In most cases, best

management practices for controlling the corn earworm should also work with Old

World bollworm.

Report Plant Pests and Diseases

Have you seen this pest or signs of pest damage? Immediately report your findings.

Find your State plant regulatory official

Find your State plant health director

Reports and Assessments

View All Final Environmental Documents