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| Todd Gilligan, LepIntercept, USDA APHIS ITP, Bugwood.org |
On June 17, 2015, one male Helicoverpa armigera (old world bollworm) was collected in a Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) pheromone trap in a field in Bradenton, Florida, USA. This moth is a serious agricultural pest globally, and this is the first detection in the U.S. outside of port interceptions. The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of field crops, the adults can fly long distances, and populations have repeatedly evolved resistance to many insecticides.
More information on this pest and news on the current situation can be found at http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Plant-Industry-Publications/Pest-Alerts/Pest-Alert-The-Old-World-Bollworm
