Pest survey card on Helicoverpa zea

This pest survey card was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2020-0114), at the request of the European Commission. Its purpose is to guide the Member States in preparing data and information for Helicoverpa zea surveys. These are required to design risk-based pest surveys, in line with current international standards. Helicoverpa zea, the corn earworm, is a taxonomically well-defined species and Union quarantine pest. It is not known to occur in the EU, but it is prevalent throughout the Americas. This extremely polyphagous pest has a potential for establishment in parts of some EU Member States, where the preferred host, Zea mays, is grown. In colder areas of the EU, H. zea may be restricted to greenhouses. The number of generations per year (from 1 to 7) varies with climatic conditions. Helicoverpa zea spreads primarily through adult migratory flights, but human-assisted spread can also occur via host plants for planting (with or without soil), cut flowers, fruit and vegetables. For detection surveys of H. zea in the EU, it is recommended to focus on Z. mays. Delimiting surveys should also include major hosts such as Capsicum annuum, Gossypium hirsutum, Nicotiana tabacum, Phaseolus vulgaris, Solanum lycopersicum, S. melongena and Sorghum bicolor and other hosts prevalent in the surveyed area. Detection methods include visual examination of host plants and adult trapping. In the laboratory, experienced staff can identify adults by examining the male genitalia. Further molecular methods, including DNA barcoding, are available for the identification of both adults and immature stages.