Identification of the Larvae of Helicoverpa assulta and H. armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Through Morphological Difference and DNA Barcoding

Abstract

In present study, the real biological pictures, vivid and straightforward, were provided of the larval head and skin of Helicoverpa assulta and H. armigera. These visual pictures can be as the necessary and useful supplement on certain characters of these two larvae. In addition, we tested and verified the morphological result by DNA barcode based on our preliminary studies. Furthermore, we also compared and discussed the advantages and disadvantages between morphological and molecular data.

Principal Insects Affecting Tobacco Plants in the Field

“…AMATE et al (130) presented a key for the identification of H. armigera and other economically important noctuid pests in Spain, based mainly on the study of chaetotax. LI et al (131) provided photographical images of important morphological structures to separate larvae of H. armigera and H. assulta. Molecular methods have also been used to distinguish H. armigera from morphologically similar congeneric, regardless of the life stage (129).…”