Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lep., Noctuidae): relationship between captures in pheromone traps and egg counts in tomato and carnation crops

The use of pheromone traps to forecast Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) egg density on tomato and carnation crops on the coast of Catalonia is analyzed. Maximum egg densities were in July and September for tomato and carnation respectively. Host selection throughout the campaign explains these differences. Phenology and the situation of the alternative host in the zone are important for the interpretation of egg densities on a specific crop. Positive correlation between egg densities and pheromone catches have been found for tomato and carnation. The use of phenological or time parameters in the predictive models is basic to improve their adjustment. The accuracy of the predictions is debatable.