Economic Importance Heliothis armigera is an important pest of cotton and many other crops in many countries (Gujar et al., 2000). In India, losses were estimated to exceed $US 500 million in the late 1980s with an additional $US 127 million spent on insecticides annually (CAB, 2006)

Global Distribution (Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Oceania) ‏ (EPPO, 2006)‏

Host Plants The most important crop hosts : tomato, cotton, pigeon pea, chickpea, sorghum, cowpea. Others: tobacco, corn, peppers, potatoes, sunflowers, soybeans, alfalfa, beans and other Fabaceae, a number of fruit (citrus,prunus), forest trees ornamental plants and flowers. (Hill,1983)‏

Biology (Life Cycle * )‏ 4-6 weeks from egg to adult in summer 8-12 weeks in spring or autumn *(Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Notes, 2006.)‏

Eggs development hatch in about three days during warm weather (25 °C average) and 6–10 days in cooler conditions eggs change from white to brown to a black-head

Larvae development Larvae develop through six growth stages (instars) ‏ Larvae become fully grown in 2–3 weeks in summer or 4–6 weeks in spring or autumn Age of larvae shown is for larvae reared at a constant 25 °C only

Pupae Pupae will normally develop to produce a moth in 10–16 days. The duration of pupation is determined by temperature, taking around two weeks in summer and up to six weeks in spring and autumn

Imago (Moth)‏ Moths feed on nectar. They live for around 10 days during which time females lay 1000 eggs. Eggs are laid singly, or in clusters, on leaves, flower buds, flowers and developing fruits, and sometimes on stems and growing points

Symptoms On Cotton Bore holes on cotton bolls * pictures sources: ;

Symptoms On Tomato Bore holes on tomatoes * pictures source:

Symptoms On chickpea and cowpea flower budsLeaves and pods * pictures source:

Control Modern Farm Organic Farm

Modern Farm (by using pesticides * )‏ Most insecticide applications are targeted at larval stages Controlling First-Second instars Use alternating insecticides from a different chemical groups to minimize selection for resistance. Carbaryl (Carbamates) or Endosulfan (Organochlorides). * (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Notes, 2006.)‏

Organic Farm (without using pesticides)‏ By Using Predators lynx spider, predatory shield bug, green lacewing larva, red and blue beetle (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Notes, 2006.)‏

Organic Farm (without using pesticides)‏ By Using Parasitoids Small wasp (Microplitis) ‏ Large parasitoid wasps (Netelia) ‏ Flies (Carcelia) ‏ (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Notes, 2006.)‏

Organic Farm (without using pesticides)‏ By Using Pathogens Nucleopolyhedro -virus (NPV) ‏ Fungal pathogens (Metarhizium, Nomurea and Beauvaria ). Bacterial toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Notes, 2006.)‏

Organic Farm (without using pesticides)‏ For pest intensity identification To trap the male moths By Using Pheronome Traps (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Notes, 2006.)‏

Organic Farm (without using pesticides)‏ By managing weeds (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Notes, 2006.)‏

Organic Farm (without using pesticides)‏ ‏ By planting Genetically Modified (GM) Crops (Fitt, 2004)‏ Genes isolate from Bacillus thuringiensis Introduced into Cotton GM COTTON CROP (With Insect Toxins)‏

References: CAB International, Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Notes IPM - Understanding Helicoverpa ecology and biology in southern Queensland: Know the enemy to manage it better Queensland Government. Australia. EPPO, Distribution maps of Quarantine Pests. Helicoverpa armigera. On-line available at Fitt, G ; Wilson, L ; Mensah, R ; and Daly, J Advances with Integrated Pest Management as a component of sustainable agriculture: the case of the Australian cotton industry. Proceedings of the 4th International Crop Science Congress. 26 Sep – 1 Oct Brisbane, Australia. Gujar, G. T., Kumari, A., Kalia, V and Chandrashekar, K., Spatial and temporal variation in susceptibility of the American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, (Hubner) to Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki in India. Current Science, 78 (8): Hill, Dennis S Agricultural insect pests of the tropics and their control. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.