Performance of pheromone traps at different heights for mass trapping of Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) in chickpea field

Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) is one of the essential insect pests which inflict heavy crop losses. The performance of pheromone traps against pest in chickpea field for mass trapping at different heights (2’, 4’ & 6’) was tested at Pulse section ARI Tando Jam. Each height of trap was replicated three times with experimental units of nine traps in area of 1080 square feet. The result regarding moth catches at different height of sex pheromone traps and dates in chickpea field was observed significantly different. Overall, the highest moth population was in the month of February (2.67±1.76). A maximum mean number of moths (36.33±5.17) were observed at 6’ height. The results also showed +ve correlation (r=0.601) between larvae and moth and with temperature and relative humidity (r=0.420; r=0.480). The pod damage and larvae were also correlated positively with each other (r=0.820). In addition, H. armigera was also captured after harvesting time in fellow land that indicated population of moth also appeared in the absence of host plant but flying ability of moths reduced and most of moths captured at 4 feet (10 moths). Flight ethology of moth was recorded during three different periods of the day. Only few moths (0.3-1.3) captured in day time and most at sunset time (15.3±2.3). Thus, the present results assumed that the pheromone traps are ideal way to monitor the pest population and such traps should be installed at 6’ height during cropping season and 4’ after harvesting in order to control larvae those pupate inside the soil.