Insect · GBIF taxon 1792564
Corn Earworm Moth
Helicoverpa zeaAlso known as Cotton Bollworm, Tomato Fruitworm, Vetch Worm, Sorghum Headworm
Corn earworm moths are stout-bodied noctuid moths with yellowish-brown forewings and dark-bordered hindwings. Females track host plant odors over long distances to lay eggs on corn silks, young tomato fruits, and cotton bolls. Their larvae are infamous for their voracious appetites and cannibalistic tendencies when crowding occurs inside a single ear of corn.
Agricultural PestNocturnalMoth
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Corn silks and kernels
- Tomato fruits
- Cotton bolls
Predators
- Bats
- Birds
- Spiders
ThreatsPesticide application and widespread cultivation of transgenic crops.
HabitatsCroplands, gardens, agricultural fields, and grassy meadows.
Life span30–40 days total (egg to adult)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyNoctuidae
- GenusHelicoverpa
- SpeciesHelicoverpa zea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Blacklight observation: Attract adult moths at night using ultraviolet light traps.
- Garden inspection: Check corn silks and tomato fruits early in the season for tiny laid eggs.
Competitor Wikimedia Commons / Public domain · cc0
Image unavailableParasite 
Frequent Companion (c) Peter Waycik, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Peter Waycik · cc-byClose Relative
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Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Corn Earworm Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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