Fall and beet armyworms are primary pests of most of the vegetable crops grown in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and surrounding coastal growing areas. Fall armyworms are year round pests of sweet corn and peppers, while beet armyworms cause most damage on peppers, tomatoes and leafy vegetables. These pests are active year round in south Florida and serve as a reservoir for migration into north Florida and further into the southeastern United States. Diamondback moths are the primary pest of all cabbages and show the greatest amount of pesticide resistance of any of our lepidopterous pests. Cabbage loopers are pests of leafy vegetables, broccoli and cauliflower. Corn earworms are pests of sweet corn, but fall armyworms are much more common and important sweet corn pests in the EAA.

Summary of Moth Activity
     Long growing seasons, generally mild winters and wide host ranges of the armyworms included in our trapping survey result in year round flights. The activity of the other monitored moth species is more limited to specific seasons. While the amplitude, duration and onset of activity vary from year to year, species specific trends have been observed.

Everglades REC Pheromone Trap Data
     Averages for 2006 pheromone trap counts at the Everglades REC are presented below. Currently, three traps each are maintained for fall and beet armyworms and one trap each for diamondback moths and corn earworms. Previous years data (1990 thru 2005) are archived in two-year increments for several moth species (including cabbage looper).