Cotton bollworm

Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Grasslands and Prairies

Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas

Cotton bollworm is attracted to specific pheromones or can be baited with the type of plants they feed on, such as tomato, cotton, and corn plants for adults and a variety of host plant leaves for caterpillars.

The eggs of cotton bollworm are typically found on host plant foliage, especially on the undersides of leaves. Caterpillars primarily inhabit the upper portions of plants and can be located by examining buds and fruit, as well as within opened bolls or pods. Pupae generally reside in the soil at varying depths, requiring a search through soil layers. Lastly, the adults are nocturnal and are most commonly spotted around flowering plants during the night, or resting on vegetation during the day.

Adult cotton bollworm are typically active at night, so the best time to search for them is during evening hours or at night, while caterpillars can be searched for during the daytime when they are actively feeding.

Cotton bollworm are likely to be found in warm conditions without extreme winds or heavy rainfall, as these could impede their flight and other activities.