This key is designed to allow users to identify the pink bollworm and distinguish it from other adult moths collected in PBW pheromone traps. Specimens used to construct this key were obtained from approximately 1000 traps set in southern Arizona during the 2010 pink bollworm monitoring season. In total, twelve moth species are collected in the traps, however, most species are much larger in size that the pink bollworm. The pink bollworm, figured above (top right), has a wingspan of approximately 1.25 cm, and a body length of approximately 0.5 cm. Only five other species collected in the traps are in this size range. All other species are much larger. The interactive key to adults provided here will allow you to identify the pink bollworm and distinguish it from the five other similarly sized species collected in the traps.
Photo credits: Wendy Moore
Although there are distinctive differences among these taxa when you have the ability to compare perfectly spread and mounted specimens, many species look very much alike when they are covered with the sticky substance that lines the DELTA traps, making dissections necessary.