A review on biological interactions and management of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

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.

Sub-lethal doses of Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus and synthetic ınsecticides alter the biological parameters of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…Additionally, polyphagous nature, several generations, high fertility rate, migratory behavior, and development of resistance are among the important reasons that have made this pest very destructive [ 5 , 6 ]. Annual losses of around 3 billion USD have been reported due to its attack [ 7 ].…”

Quality Control in Mass Rearing of Insects

“…Helicoverpa armigera is a highly polyphagous pest (Riaz et al, 2021) and shows high susceptibility to the pesticidal Cry1Ac protein (Da Silva et al, 2018). For this bollworm species, Kannan and Uthamasamy (2006) related the sublethal effects of Cry1Ac protein decreased fertility, as well as increased number of malformed adults, egg viability, and fecundity period when the species was exposed to low (LC 25 ) and medium (LC 50 ) lethal concentrations.…”

Silencing of multiple target genes via ingestion of dsRNA and PMRi affects development and survival in Helicoverpa armigera

“…Due to its migratory behavior wider host range, migratory behavior high fecundity, insecticide resistance and multiple generations it is very difficult to control such insect 2 Numerous control strategies have been proposed or trialed for the control of this pest, including synthetic phytopesticides, microbial pesticides, insecticides, macro-biocontrol agents and transformed crops (e.g. Bt cotton) 3 . Most of the insect populations have developed resistance due to improper use of insecticides.…”