Old World Bollworm (OWB) (Helicoverpa armigera), an agricultural pest considered by many to be one of the worst in the world, has been detected on the Island of Puerto Rico and recently intercepted in Florida during 2015. Specifically, OWB could impact the major U.S. commodities of cotton and corn.
Old World Bollworm is very closely related to the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), a prominent pest species of many crops in the western hemisphere. The two species are morphologically indistinguishable externally and have similar pheromone components attracting them to the same trap. They can be distinguished by genitalic dissection or molecular tests. OWB and corn earworm are highly polyphagous, with significant overlap in the host range of the two species and they can interbreed into a hybrid species.
The first established report of OWB in the western hemisphere was in Brazil in 2013. OWB has spread rapidly through Brazil and into other countries of South America causing significant damage on several crops such as soybean and cotton. OWB has been a pest of primary concern and research in Australia for many years, and researchers in both Australia and Brazil have developed significant knowledge on this pest in their respective countries. Through their understanding of the effects and management of OWB on crops, we will benefit as researchers and regulatory personnel in the US.
OWB has been intercepted in the continental U.S. and given the strong flying ability, the polyphagous habits of this pest and the populations of the pest recently becoming established in the Caribbean, additional incursions are likely.
Due to concerns related to OWB, the USDA will host a Strategic Planning Workshop on April 4-6, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry.
On April 7 and 8, 2016, an Identification Training Session will be held at the University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department.
