Pollen as an Indicator of Long-distance Movement of Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Adult male bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), moths were collected from sex pheromone traps located in Arkansas and were examined for pollen. Pollen was found on 68.3% of the moths, primarily on the proboscis or eye area. Pollen of false mesquite, Calliandra, and ape's earring, Pithecellobium, were found on moths during each of 2 yr. Neither plant occurs in Arkansas; Calliandra's closest distribution to Arkansas is south central Texas, and Pithecellobium occurs in south Texas near the Mexican border. The presence of these pollens on H. zea indicates immigration from at least 750 km to the Arkansas capture sites.