The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries runs pheromone trapping networks as an early warning system for flying pests. Current trapping networks focus on lepidopteran (moth) pests:
- Helicoverpa (H. armigera and H. punctigera)
- Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)
It is important to note that the primary function of pheromone traps is not to provide definitive counts, but to act as an ‘early warning’ for adult presence. In-crop sampling is required to accurately assess the presence of eggs and juvenile stages.