Country: United States

Title: Detection of Old World Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) in Puerto Rico

Contact:
Eileen Smith, APHIS National Emergency Response Coordinator, at 301-851-2155.

Report:

On September 26, 2014, APHIS molecularly confirmed the first U.S. detection of Old World bollworm (OWB) in San Germán, Puerto Rico. This single adult male moth was detected in a pheromone trap in a bean field on September 12, 2014, as part of a PPQ survey effort.

OWB feeds on many types of plants and can affect 180 species of wild and cultivated plants in more than 45 families. Major hosts include: artichokes, beans and forage legumes, bell peppers, cacao, chrysanthemums, cotton, maize, wheat, and other small grains, okra, peas, potatoes, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, sunflowers, tobacco, and tomatoes.

In most places where OWB occurs, it is considered a severe economic pest and is also known to fly long distances. OWB is known to occur in many countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania and has recently become established in Brazil and Argentina.

OWB is closely related to the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, which is widespread in the United States. The adult moths of these two pests can be identified to species using morphological characters, although the larvae of corn earworm and OWB cannot be identified without DNA analysis. APHIS is developing options and next steps with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Caribbean officials. We will work with trade representatives and state plant regulatory officials as we determine the next steps to address this pest.

Under IPPC Standards, Helicoverpa armigera is considered to be a pest that is present: only in some areas of Puerto Rico.
 

Posted Date: Oct. 28, 2014, 9 a.m.