A trapping system for measuring wide-area occurrence and distribution of Heliothis zea Boddie and H. virescens (F.) during 1983-1986 is described. The system included traps, lures, a cooperator network, operating procedures, and provisions for data reduction and display. Data of occurrence and relative abundance of both species were obtained from many localities over a wide area of the Eastern two-thirds of the U.S. Shown are contour graphs of first occurrence for 1986 and of relative abundance of the species for 1983 to 1986. Data of this type are critical for developing and validating models of Heliothis occurrence and for developing and implementing area-wide strategies of Heliothis management.