Treatment decisions based on egg scouting for tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), reduce insecticide use in tomato

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), management program where insecticide application was made only when fruitworm eggs were detected on tomato foliage. Fruit damage and number of insecticide applications were compared between the egg scouting program and a standard fruitworm management program where insecticides were applied on a weekly schedule. On average, 59 and 43% fewer insecticide applications (for esfenvalerate and Bacillus thuringiensis, respectively) were required in the egg scouting program, compared with the weekly spray program, without any reduction in marketable yield. The average seasonal insecticide cost savings associated with the use of the egg scouting program were $US109.33 and $US93.33 per ha for esfenvalerate and B. thuringiensis, respectively. When scouting was used, average net returns, considering machinery and labor costs, were $US146.45 and $US164.33 per ha higher for esfenvalerate and B. thuringiensis, respectively.