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pink bollworm

insect
Also known as: Pectinophora gossypiella

Quick Summary

The pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) is a small, dark brown moth whose pinkish larva is a destructive pest in most cotton-growing regions. These larvae bore into the flowers and bolls of cotton plants. Bollworms, in general, are larvae of various moths and can attack a variety of plants beyond cotton, including peas, alfalfa, beans, soybeans, flax, and peanuts. While often associated with cotton, the larvae of the corn earworm can also be referred to as cotton bollworms and can damage tomatoes and cotton bolls. Management strategies for bollworm pests include biological control, early crop planting, trap crops, and insecticides.12

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