Within-field spatial patterns of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and spatial associations with stink bugs and their injury in field corn.

The corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a cosmopolitan pest in the field crop landscape in the southeastern United States. Field corn (Zea mays L.) is the most important midseason host for H. zea where intensive selection pressure occurs for resistance to insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Because spatial patterns of H. zea in field corn have not been extensively studied, field corn was sampled for H. zea larvae and injury in 2021 and 2022. Patterns of spatial aggregation were identified in a number of fields in both larval populations and injury. Aggregation of H. zea larvae was less common at R5 than at R2. Associations between the spatial patterns of H. zea and the variability in crop phenology were identified in some fields, with positive associations between plant height and H. zea larvae, indicating that ovipositing H. zea moths avoid areas with reduced plant height and delayed reproductive maturity. Additionally, negative spatial associations between stink bug ear injury and H. zea larvae and their injury were found in a small number of cases, indicating some spatial interactions between the two pest complexes and their injury. Results from these studies provide valuable insight into the spatial patterns of H. zea in field corn. An understanding of the local dispersal and population dynamics of H. zea can be used to help further improve integrated pest management and insect resistance management programs for this major polyphagous pest.