The effect of weather factors (maximum, minimum and average air temperatures, wind, solar radiation and rain) on pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) male moth pheromone catches and their relationship to boll infestation was studied in cotton fields at Las Cruces, New Mexico. Male moth catches were highly correlated with air temperature and solar radiation during the season in a large trapping area. No clear relationship was found when these studies were carried out in a small trapping area. The average weekly moth catches (7 days prior to each boll sampling date) were highly correlated to boll infestation in a large trapping area. There was a poor correlation between single trap catches and the infestation level in a small trapping area. The number of moths caught early season were significantly correlated to moth catches that occurred during mid-season. The results suggest that early season trap catches may be used to identify the probability of developing infestations during the growing season. Our studies suggest also that we can use trap catches as a sampling tool in integrated pest management programs and that trap catches accurately predict the need for control in large trapping areas. More research is needed to improve the understanding of the significance of trap catches.