Skip to main content

U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA FAQ's and resources about coronavirus (COVID-19).  LEARN MORE

Old World Bollworm

The old world bollworm can cause damage to U.S. agriculture.

The Old World Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is known to attack more than 180 plant species and can cause damage to crops. Damage occurs when the larvae bore into the host’s flowers and fruit and feed within the plant; the larvae may also feed on the leaves of host plants. Old world bollworm was detected in Puerto Rico in 2014 and Florida in 2015.

Detected in Puerto Rico, 2014

More than 180 plant species, including:

  • Corn
  • Cotton
  • Small grains
  • Soybeans
  • Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Moving or mailing infested fruits, vegetables, or plants
  • Bringing infested fruits, vegetables, and plants into the United States in passenger baggage
  • Moths or larvae hitchhiking in international cargo
  • Moths carried long distances by wind
  • Adult moths and larvae on the flowers, fruit, or leaves of host plants
  • Holes bored into the base of flower buds, fruit, or bolls
  • Other signs of damage to leaves and shoots
  • Young fruit or bolls that fall prematurely
Larvae or damage within the plant’s fruit (may need to cut open the fruit to see this)
  • Do not bring or mail fresh fruits, vegetables, plants or soil into your state or another state unless agricultural inspectors have cleared them first.
  • Allow authorized agricultural workers access to property to install and inspect insect-monitoring traps.
Contact your local Extension office or State Plant Regulatory Official  if you suspect old world bollworm.

 

Quick Links

Pest Alert

What's at Risk from the Old World Bollworm:

graphic image of a tomato, okra and cotton boll


Complementary Content
${loading}