Oviposition preference and reproductive performance of Japanese Helicoverpa armigera (Huebner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Abstract

We investigated the host selection behavior and reproductive performance of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in glasshouse bioassays. Irrespective of the growth stages of the host species tested, females showed strong oviposition preference for maize and okra, followed by tomato. There was a distinct non-preference for eggplant and pepper. The preferred ovipositional site on tomato, maize, okra and pepper was on leaves, and on eggplant, flowers and fruits were more preferred. The within-plant distribution of larvae based on the number of larvae feeding per plant part was highest on flowers and fruits of tomato and on the silk, cob and tassel of maize. Leaves were the preferred feeding sites for neonates on okra. Bionomics studies indicated a significant variation in the ability of different host plants to support the life history stages of the insect. Larvae reared on maize and okra had low survival rates, and produced smaller pupae that were more likely to die, and emerged adults were less fecund compared to those reared on tomato, eggplant, pepper and artificial diet. These results suggest that for H. armigera, growth and survival of offspring appear unrelated to adult host plant choice.

Influence of temperature on the rate of development of Helicoverpa armigera (Huebner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

“…Greenhouse evidence demonstrated tomato as a preferred host for H. armigera (Kumamoto population) oviposition, and neonate survival, growth and development to be moderate on this host species (Jallow et al, 2001). These findings are consistent with those reported in the field (Furuie, personal communication).…”

“…Development of H. armigera tends to be faster on artificial diet than on most host plants (Pretorius, 1976;Fenemore and Thanee, 1990). Similar results have been reported for Japanese H. armigera (Casimero et al, 2000;Jallow et al, 2001). Another source of developmental variation in H. armigera is variation in host plants used as food, either in terms of defensive chemistry and/or nutritional value (see Scriber and Slansky, 1981).…”

Effect of Host Plant Part on Larval Body-Color Polymorphism inHelicoverpa Armigera(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…Previous studies of H. armigera have found no relationship between oviposition preference and larval performance (Jallow et al 2001, Jallow and Zalucki 2003, Cotter and Edwards 2006, indicating that female moths do not always choose suitable host plants or host plant parts for their offspring. If so, larvae may need to move among plants to complete development (Zalucki et al 1986).…”

Polyphagy and primary host plants: oviposition preference versus larval performance in the lepidopteran pest Helicoverpa armigera

“…and cotton for oviposition and larval feeding, at least in relation to tomato, green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and chrysanthemum sp. (Jallow et al 2001;Kakimoto et al 2003). Australian H. armigera showed stronger oviposition preference for several hosts relative to cotton, including maize, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.)…”