Appearance analysis of two noctuid moths 'Helicoverpa armigera' Hbn. & 'Autographa gamma' L. during 2019, 2020 and 2021 in Bačka district

Moths Helicoverpa armigera and Autographa gamma appeared regularly each year in Bačka district (Serbia). When their numbers increase, the caterpillars do great damage to cultivated and ornamental plants. Monitoring of the dynamics of butterfly flight was performed using a light trap type RO Agrobečej in Sombor and Čelarevo. Monitoring of egg laying and the appearance of caterpillars was performed by visual inspections of cultivated plants. The paper describes the dynamics of the occurrence of these species during 2019, 2020 and 2021. During 2021, butterflies of both species reached a high number in Bačka. Their caterpillars had to be controlled in crops: corn, peppers, tomatoes, soybeans, green beans, sunflowers, cabbage, carrots, hazelnuts, but also other cultivated plants. Suppression signals were regularly announced at www.agroupozorenje.rs.