Fauna
Insect

Corn Earworm Moth

Helicoverpa zea

Also 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
Corn Earworm Moth reference1 / 7
(c) Bernie Paquette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bernie Paquette · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCorn 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)
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyNoctuidae
  3. GenusHelicoverpa
  4. SpeciesHelicoverpa zea
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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Found in Collections

Species set

Moonlight Marvels

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