The primary purpose of this project is to support efforts of USDA-aphis and other collaborating agencies, to detect populations of old world bollworm in a manner that allows accomplishment of agency…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement of $102,930 to Kansas State University on July 1, 2026, to establish and characterize colonies of Old World Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) subspecies and develop detection tools for USDA-APHIS survey and regulatory efforts.

Kansas State University will obtain and establish H. armigera armigera and H. armigera conferta colonies, and rear hybrid colonies combining H. zea with both H. armigera subspecies to study their reactions to pheromone and antagonists in wind tunnel testing. Deliverables include three separate lure blends designed to capture H. zea, H. armigera armigera, and H. armigera conferta independently, preventing by-catch of closely related species and enabling accurate detection of H. armigera presence in the United States. The recipient will also develop the first quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for distinguishing H. armigera subspecies.

Work is performed at Manhattan, Kansas. The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Results will support USDA-APHIS and collaborating agencies in survey and regulatory containment decisions for this invasive moth species, protecting American agricultural and natural resources.

The primary purpose of this project is to support efforts of USDA-aphis and other collaborating agencies, to detect populations of old world bollworm in a manner that allows accomplishment of agency goals related to the protection of american agricultural and natural resources. Activities to be performed: the recipient of this agreement will obtain and establish h. Armigera armigera and h. Armigera conferta colonies to facilitate studies of its reactions to pheromone and antagonists in a wind tunnel. Hybrid colonies of h. ZEA and the two subspecies of h. Armigera will also be reared and tested. Deliverables and expected outcomes: this agreement should provide detailed information on the pheromone composition and behavior of different h. Armigera subspecies. The agreement should result in three separate lure blends which should capture h. ZEA, h. Armigera armigera and h. Armigera conferta. This should prevent by-catch of these closely related pest species and accurately determine the presence of h. Armigera species in the united states. We also aim to develop the first qpcr assay for distinguishing the subspecies of h. Armigera. Intended beneficiary(IES): the results of this research will greatly benefit USDA-aphis and other collaborating agencies who need to survey and plan regulatory / containment decisions for this important moth species.