Reproductive condition of female corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) moths from sweep net and blacklight trap collections in corn

The reproductive conditions of female corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), moths caught in blacklight (BL) traps and those captured in sweep nets in corn during 1988 and 1989 were compared. There was no significant difference in mean number of spermatophores per female between moths captured in sweep nets and those caught in BL traps. Number of spermatophores averaged 2.2 per female. The pattern in the number of spermatophores per female over time in corn earworm moths caught in BL traps closely approximated that of females captured in sweep nets. The pattern of change in sex ratio in corn earworm moth catches in BL traps closely approximated that of moths captured in sweep nets, with some exceptions. Profiles describing relative number of chorionated eggs and amount of fat were similar in moths collected by sweep nets and those caught in BL traps. Data indicate that catches in BL traps may be used as an alternative to nocturnal sampling of adults with sweep nets for describing the reproductive condition of female corn earworm moths in corn