There are a number of worms that have an insatiable appetite for clothes, specifically clothes made of cotton. These worms will tear through cotton crops, cotton clothing and any other objects that may be covered in cotton such as furniture, drapes, and linen. One of the most destructive types of worms that eat your clothes is the bollworm. Also called “pink cotton bollworm,” the bollworm is the larvae of a moth. Not only does the bollworm attack cotton, it also attacks alfalfa, beans, corn, flax, peas, soybeans, tomatoes, and the fruiting bodies of just about any other commercial crop. Simply put, the cotton worm can be a nightmare for cotton farmers and vegetable farmers alike.
There are nearly a dozen bollworms in existence today including the:
African Cotton Bollworm or Tomato Grub (Helicoverpa armigera)
American Cotton Bollworm or Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea)
Cotton Bollworm (Helicoverpa gelotopoeon)
Cotton Bollworm (Helicoverpa punctigera)
Pink Spotted Bollworm (Pectinophora scutigera)
Red or Sudan Bollworm (Diaparopsis)
Rough Bollworm (Earias buegeli)
Spiny Bollworm (Earias insulana)
Spotted Bollworm (Earias fabia)
Tobacco Budworm (Heliothis virescens)
The pink bollworm is the worst of the bunch for cotton farmers. It originated in Asia, but it is a serious problem in just about every cotton-growing region around the world. This is especially true of cotton fields located throughout most Southern California deserts. Although the pink bollworm was first established in California in the San Joaquin Valley, infestations have not been reported in the central area of California.
The adult bollworm, a moth, is typically small in size and grayish-brown in color. Its wings are fringed and when folded, they appear long and slim. The adult female lays her eggs in cotton bolls. When the tiny, elongated eggs hatch and the larvae (bollworms) emerge and they immediately begin feeding by burrowing into green bolls through the cotton lint in order to get to the seeds of the cotton plant.
The larvae look like tiny white caterpillars. They grow to roughly 0.5 inches long and they have dark brown heads with pink bands on its back. Although tiny, all it takes is one to two bollworms to completely destroy an entire boll. Not only do the bollworms eat through the cotton and seeds, they also leave the boll open to further damage (if that’s possible) through infection and rot.
There are several ways to control bollworms in crops. One of the most effective way is through winter irrigation. It is estimated that winter irrigations can reduce populations of bollworms by as much as 50-70 percent. Another way to control bollworm populations is by cutting off irrigation early. This means that you can stop production of green bolls by early September. As an added measure, shred cotton plants immediately after harvesting. This will help to destroy larvae and it promotes speedy drying of un-harvested bolls. A common treatment method for many farmers is fire, which helps prevent bollworm infestations.
Bollworms can also be controlled through the use of mating disrupters such as gossyplure. When used properly, gossyplure can effectively disrupt mating in cotton fields. It must be distributed evenly and generously throughout the cotton field in order for it to be effective.
To get rid of bollworms in your clothes, you must throw all infected clothing away and exterminate the area where you believe the worms live. You must destroy all storage bins and units, and repeat the extermination process every six months until all traces of bollworms disappear. Do not attempt to use chemicals on your own. Please consult a professional exterminator.
