Light-Trap Catch of Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) Depending on the Sunspot Numbers between Years 1993 and 2011

The study examined the light-trap catch of the Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) depending on the sunspot numbers. The catching data of examined species were taken from the light-trap registers of the Hungarian Light-trap Network. During the years between 1993 and 2011, 25,531 moths were caught by the 36 light-traps. Our results show that there is low Sun’s activity (the number of sunspots is between 0 and 30); there is no verifiable effect on the efficiency of light trapping of Scarce Bordered Straw. However, in other years, when the number of sunspots is between 30 and 100 and when it is higher than 100, high sunspot numbers cause an increase in the catch.