The 1997-98 cropping season in southern Queensland was characterised by a severe, sustained and damaging outbreak of H. armigera. This situation arose as a result of a combination of factors.

As major pests of cotton production, Heliothis spp. are of most concern to growers during the summer when they are active and damaging crops. Once autumn arrives and the crop is picked, Heliothis are soon forgotten.

Traps baited with sex attractants ( 1 pheromone 1 traps) are presently being used by a number of farmers in Central Queensland to monitor P. scutigera populations and for timing insecticide sprays.

Early crop protection is a controversial subject in modern pest management. Grower magazines in Australia and the U.S. carry articles expressing firm opinions both for and against.

The scouting of cotton for eggs and larvae of Heliothis spp is a labour intensive and therefore expensive undertaking.