# Pheromone trap

> A trap baited with a synthetic sex pheromone that catches males of one moth species; used to time scouting and sprays, not to control the pest.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/pheromone-trap.html
- Also written: pheromone traps, sex pheromone trap, moth trap, lure trap
- Glossary category: Pests and diseases · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

A pheromone trap uses a lure that imitates the sex attractant a female moth releases, so it catches males of one target species, such as [corn earworm](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/corn-earworm.md) or European corn borer. Extension guides for [hemp](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/hemp.md) use trap catches to show when moths are flying and egg-laying is imminent.

## In practice

Trap catches start the clock: combine them with a [degree-day](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/degree-day.md) model to predict egg hatch, then scout flowers for eggs and young larvae. Traps catch too few moths to reduce a population, and catches reflect males only. Change lures on the schedule given by the lure maker.

## Don't confuse with

- **Sticky card**: catches any small flying insect by colour.
- **Light trap**: attracts many night-flying insects, including [beneficials](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/biological-control.md).

## Related terms

[Degree-day](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/degree-day.md), [Scouting](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/scouting.md), [Action threshold](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/action-threshold.md)

## Read more

- [Budworms on cannabis: corn earworm and tobacco budworm in numbers](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/pests/budworms-corn-earworm.md)
- [Caterpillars on cannabis: species, degree-days and control](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/pests/caterpillars.md)

## Sources

1. Shrestha, G., 2022. Corn earworm management in hemp (EM 9626). Oregon State University Extension. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9626-corn-earworm-management-hemp
2. Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. Hemp: caterpillars. https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/agronomic/hemp/hemp-caterpillars