Both Sexes of the True Armyworm (lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Trapped with the Feeding Attractant Composed of Acetic Acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol

Male and female true armyworm moths, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth), were captured in traps baited with the combination of acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol and placed near fields of corn ( Zea mays ). In a comparison of these chemicals presented individually and together, significantly greater numbers of moths were captured in traps baited with acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol, compared to traps baited with acetic acid alone or traps baited with 3-methyl-1-butanol alone. Eighty percent of the female true armyworm moths captured in September in traps baited with acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol were unmated and immature (no eggs and with considerable fat body). The remaining 20% of those females captured were mated and had some ovarian development. These results demonstrate attraction of male and female true armyworm moths to the combination of acetic acid and 3-methyl-1butanol and provide a new means of trapping females of this species.