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Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella)

Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) pheromone lure

The Pink Bollworm is one of the most devastating pests of cotton crops in India and globally. It bores into developing bolls and feeds internally, causing boll rotting, poor lint quality, and significant yield losses. Its hidden feeding behavior makes it difficult to control with insecticides, which is why pheromone traps and other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods are essential for early detection and population management.

Host Crop:

  • Cotton (Gossypium spp.) – Primary host

Damage Symptoms:

  • Small boreholes on cotton bolls with no external excreta (clean entry)

  • Rosetted flowers or “rosetting” in young shoots

  • Premature boll opening

  • Internal feeding on seeds, leading to lint staining

  • Reduced seed cotton weight and poor fiber quality

👉 Yield losses can reach 20–30% or more if the infestation goes unchecked, especially in Bt cotton fields with resistance buildup.

Lifecycle of Pink Bollworm:

  1. Eggs laid on cotton flowers, bolls, or under calyx

  2. Larvae bore into bolls and feed on seeds

  3. Pupation inside plant debris or soil

  4. Adults are small greyish moths with fringed wings

🕒 One generation completes in 25–30 days, and multiple generations occur during the crop season.

Monitoring & Control Using Pheromone Traps:

✅ Recommended Trap Types:

  • Funnel Trap

  • Sticky Trap with Lure Holder

  • Wota-T Trap (for dry monitoring)

✅ Lure Type:

  • Pectinophora gossypiella sex pheromone lure

✅ Trap Density:

  • 5–8 traps per acre for monitoring

  • Install at 1–1.5 meters height in the cotton canopy

🟢 Traps are highly effective for early detection, mating disruption, and reducing male populations to slow down reproduction.

Other IPM Strategies:

🌱 Cultural Control:

  • Early sowing and synchronized planting

  • Removal and destruction of infested bolls and crop residues

  • Deep summer ploughing to kill pupae

  • Avoid ratoon cropping and late harvesting

Pheromonetrap.in Traps for Pink Bollworm Control?

  • Precision-targeted lures for Pectinophora gossypiella

  • Durable, reusable traps for field conditions

  • Long lure longevity (30–45 days)

  • Supports sustainable, eco-friendly farming

  • Compatible with organic and IPM practices