Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most damaging insect pests globally, causing estimated global economic losses of over 3 billion US dollars annually. Crops most affected include cotton, tomato, soybean, grain crops such as corn and sorghum, chickpea and other pulses. Adults of this species possess strong migratory abilities (>2000 km), high fecundity and rapid reproductive rates; completing 4–6 generations per year in most cropping regions. Furthermore, the larvae are polyphagous, with a wide and diverse host range and possess the ability to enter diapause in order to survive adverse climatic conditions. At present, it is distributed across most of Oceania, Asia, Africa and southern Europe and has recently spread to South America. Various control measures have been trialled or proposed for the treatment of this pest, including synthetic insecticides, phytopesticides, microbial pesticides, macro‐biocontrol agents (both parasitoids and predators) and the development of genetically modified crops (e.g. Bt cotton). Successful control necessitates the use of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, wherein biological, chemical and physical control measures are combined for the greatest control efficacy.
Papilio demoleus L., also known as the citrus butterfly or chequered swallowtail, is a common species in the Asia-Pacific region, with two of its subspecies (P. d. demoleus and P. d. malayanus) posing significant threats to the citrus industry in Asia and other regions of the world. Its predominant natural host plants are the Rutaceae for the invasive northern subspecies and Fabaceae for the southern subspecies. The morphology and development of this species are reasonably well studied, although further information is required on its natural mortality rates and environmental tolerance in order to accurately predict its future potential spread throughout the Middle East and Central Americas. Synthetic pyrethroids such as deltamethrin are highly effective for the control of P. demoleus larvae. However, better control is likely to be found using an integrated approach to pest management, incorporating techniques such as biocontrol agents, microbial pesticides and phytopesticides, in conjunction with synthetic pesticides where required.
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