ABSTRACT
Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment is a relatively new and inexpensive technology used for treating sewage, certain industrial discharges, and acid mine drainage. Due to the monocultural nature of the macrophytes used in constructed wetlands, some plants, particularly cattail (Typha latifolia), are subject to damage by lepidopterous insect pests, mainly the army worm complex. A constructed wetlands was established at Widows Creek Fossil Fuel Plant early in May 1986 to aid in the control of acid drainage from an abandoned ash pond. Widows Creek is unique in that a very dense stand of cattails developed rapidly (within two months) after planting. Armyworms are noted for their boom and crash populations. Research on agricultural crop monocultures indicates stressed plants have a far greater attraction and/or are preferred by many insects over strong, viable, rapidly growing plants, as was initially observed at the Widows Creek planting. Trapping borders of stressed cattails or other wetland plants may be an alternative to minimize destruction.
