Helicoverpa armigera

Scientific Name
Helicoverpa armigera Hbner, 1809

Synonyms:
Bombyx obsolete Fabricius,
Chloridea armigera Hbner,
Chloridea obsoleta Fabricius,
Helicoverpa commoni Hardwick,
Helicoverpa obsoleta Auctorum,
Heliothis armigera (Hbner),
Heliothis conferta Walker, Figure 1. Helicoverpa armigera adult (Julieta
Heliothis fusca Cockerell, Brambila, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org).
Heliothis obsoleta Auctorum,
Heliothis pulverosa Walker,
Heliothis rama Bhattacherjee Gupta,
Heliothis uniformis Wallengren,
Noctua armigera Hbner, and
Noctua barbara Fabricius

Common Name
Old world bollworm, scarce bordered straw worm, corn earworm, cotton bollworm,
African cotton bollworm, tobacco budworm, tomato grub, tomato worm, and gram pod
borer

Type of Pest
Moth

Taxonomic Position
Class: Insecta, Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Noctuidae

Reason for Inclusion in Manual

CAPS Target: AHP Prioritized Pest List -
2005 through 2014

Pest Description
For more information, see Common (1953),
Dominguez Garcia-Tejero (1957),
Kirkpatrick (1961), Hardwick (1965, 1970),
Cayrol (1972), Delattre (1973), and King
(1994).

Eggs: Yellowish-white when first laid (Fig. Figure 2. Eggs of Helicoverpa armigera (BASF
2), later changing to dark brown just before Corp).

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hatching. Eggs are gum drop-shaped and 0.4 to 0.6 mm (<1/32 in) in diameter. The top
is smooth, otherwise the surface contains approximately 24 longitudinal ribs. The eggs
then change to dark or gray black a day before hatching (Bhatt and Patel, 2001; CABI,
2007).

Larvae: Larval color darkens with successive molts for the six instars typically observed
for H. armigera. Coloration can vary considerably due to diet content (Fig. 3 A, B).
Coloration ranges from bluish green to brownish red (Fowler and Lakin, 2001). Freshly
emerged first instars are translucent and yellowish-white in color. The head, prothoracic
shield, supra-anal shield and prothoracic legs are dark-brown to black as are the
spiracles and raised base of the setae. The larvae have a spotted appearance (Fig. 3
A, B) due to sclerotized setae, tubercle bases, and spiracles (King, 1994; Bhatt and
Patel, 2001). Second instars are yellowish green in color with black thoracic legs. Five
abdominal prolegs are present on the third to sixth, and tenth abdominal segments.

A B

C D

Figure 3. Life stages of Helicoverpa armigera (images not to scale): (A, B) larva, (C) pupa, and (D)
adult. (Central Science Laboratory, Harpenden Archive, British Crown and Paolo Mazzei
www.bugwood.org).

The full grown larvae are brownish or pale green with brown lateral stripes and a distinct
dorsal stripe; larvae are long and ventrally flattened but convex dorsally. Larval size in
the final instar ranges from 3.5 to 4.2 cm (approx. 1 3/8 to 1 5/8 in) in length (King, 1994).

Last Update: July 7, 2014 2

Pupae: Pupae are dark tan to brown (Fig. 3 C), 14 to 22 mm (approx. 9/16 to 7/8 in) long,
and 4.5 to 6.5 mm (approx. 3/16 to 1/4 in) wide. Body is rounded both anteriorly and
posteriorly, with two tapering parallel spines at posterior tip. Pupae typically are found
in soil.

Adults: A stout-bodied moth with typical noctuid appearance, with 3.5 to 4 cm (approx. 1
3
/8 to 1 9/16 in) wing span; body is 14 to 19 mm (approx. 9/16 to 3/4 in) long. Color is
variable, but males are usually yellowish-brown, light yellow, or light brown and females
are orange-brown (Fig. 3 D). Forewings have a black or dark brown kidney-shaped
marking near the center (Brambila, 2009a). Hind wings are creamy white with a dark
brown or dark gray band on outer margin (Brambila, 2009a).

Identification of adult H. armigera requires dissection of genitalia (Common, 1953;

Kirkpatrick, 1961; Hardwick, 1965).

Biology and Ecology

Helicoverpa armigera overwinters in the soil in the pupal stage. Moths emerge in May
to June depending on latitude and lay eggs singly on a variety of host plants on or near
floral structures. Plants in flower are preferred to those that are not in flower
(Firempong and Zalucki, 1990b). Depending on the quality of the host, H. armigera may
also lay eggs on leaf surfaces. Female moths tend to choose pubescent (hairy)
surfaces for oviposition rather than smooth leaf surfaces (King, 1994). Tall plants also
tend to attract heavier oviposition than shorter plants (Firempong and Zaluski, 1990b).
The number of larval instars varies from five to seven, with six being most common
(Hardwick, 1965). Larvae drop off the host plant and pupate in the soil, then emerge as
adults to start the next generation.

Because H. armigera exhibits overlapping generations, it can be difficult to determine

the number of completed generations. Typically two to five generations are achieved in
subtropical and temperate regions and up to 11 generations can occur under optimal
conditions, particularly in tropical areas (Tripathi and Singh, 1991; King, 1994; Fowler
and Lakin, 2001). Temperature and availability of suitable host plants are the most
important factors influencing the seasonality, number of generations, and the size of H.
armigera populations (King, 1994).

The duration of the different life stages decreases as temperature increases from 13.3
to 32.5C (56 to 91F). A thermal constant of 51 degree days above the threshold of
10.5C (51F) was required for the development of eggs. The larval stage required
215.1 degree days and the pupal stage 151.8 degree days above 11.3 and 13.8C (52
and 57F) developmental thresholds, respectively (Jallow and Matsumura, 2001). In a
laboratory study, 475 degree days above an 11C (52F) threshold were needed to
complete development from larvae to adult (Twine, 1978).

Helicoverpa armigera has a facultative pupal diapause, which is induced by short day
lengths (11 to 14 hours per day) and low temperatures (15 to 23C; 59 to 73F)
experienced as a larva (CABI, 2007). A summer diapause, in which pupae enter a state

Last Update: July 7, 2014 3

of arrested development during prolonged hot, dry conditions, has been recorded in the
Sudan (Hackett and Gatehouse, 1982) and Burkina Faso (Nibouche, 1998).

Under adverse conditions, moths can migrate long distances (King, 1994; Zhou et al.
2000; Casimero et al., 2001; Shimizu and Fujisaki, 2002; CABI, 2007). Adults can
disperse distances of 10 km during non-migratory flights and hundreds of kilometers
(up to 250 km) when making migratory flights, which occur when host quality or
availability declines (Saito, 1999; Zhou et al., 2000; Casimero et al., 2001; Fowler and
Lakin, 2001).

For further information, see Dominguez Garcia-Tejero (1957), Pearson (1958),

Hardwick (1965), Cayrol (1972), Delattre (1973), Hackett and Gatehouse (1982), King
(1994), and CABI (2007).

Damage
Helicoverpa armigera larvae prefer to feed on
reproductive parts of hosts (flowers and fruits)
but may also feed on foliage. Feeding damage
results in holes bored into reproductive
structures and feeding within the plant. It may
be necessary to cut open the plant organs to
detect the pest. Secondary pathogens (fungi,
bacteria) may develop due to the wounding of
the plant. Frass may occur alongside the
feeding hole from larval feeding within.
Figure 4. Larva feeding on corn cob (Antoine
Chickpea: Larvae feed on foliage, sometimes
Gyonnet, Lpidoptres Poitou-Charentes,
entire small plants consumed. Larger larvae www.bugwood.org).
bore into pods and consume developing seed.
Resistant cultivars exist.

Corn: Eggs are laid on the silks, larvae invade the ears (Fig. 4) and developing grain is
consumed. Secondary bacterial and fungal infections are common.

Cotton: Bore holes are visible at the base of flower buds, and the buds are hollowed
out. Bracteoles are spread out and curled downwards. Leaves and shoots may also be
consumed by larvae. Larger larvae bore into maturing green bolls; young bolls fall after
larval damage. Adults lay fewer eggs on smooth-leaved varieties.

Peanut: The leaves, and sometimes flowers, are attacked by larvae; severe infestations
cause defoliation. Less preferred varieties exist.

Pigeon pea: Flower buds and flowers bored by small larvae may drop; larger larvae
bore into locules of pods and consume developing seed. Short duration and
determinate varieties are subject to greater damage. Less-preferred varieties exist.

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Sorghum: Larvae feed on the developing grain, hiding inside the head during the
daytime. Compact-headed varieties are preferred (CAB, 2004).

Tomato: On tomatoes, young fruits are invaded and fall; larger larvae may bore into
older fruits. Secondary infections by other organisms lead to rotting.

Pest Importance
Heliothine moths of the genus Helicoverpa are considered to be among the most
damaging insect pests in Australian agriculture, costing approximately $225.2 million
per year to control (Clearly et al., 2006). Helicoverpa armigera is a major insect pest of
both field and horticultural crops in many parts of the world (Fitt, 1989). The pest status
of H. armigera is due in part to the broad host range of its larvae; its feeding preference
for reproductive stages of plants; its high fecundity; its high mobility; and its ability to
enter facultative diapause and thus adapt to different climates (Cleary et al., 2006).
These characteristics make H. armigera particularly well adapted to exploit transient
habitats, such as man-made ecosystems. Worldwide, H. armigera has been reported
on over 180 cultivated hosts and wild species in at least 45 plant families (Venette et al.,
2003). The larvae feed mainly on the flowers and fruit of high value crops, and thus
high economic damage can be caused at low population densities (Cameron, 1989;
CABI, 2007).

Helicoverpa armigera has been reported to cause serious losses throughout its range,
in particular to tomatoes, corn, and cotton. Lammers and MacLeod (2007) state that
this species is predominantly a pest of outdoor tomato crops in Portugal and Spain.
Economic losses to field grown tomatoes have also been recorded in Italy. This species
can also cause damage in greenhouse settings; in southern Moravia, Czech Republic,
the highest damage caused to tomatoes was 5%. In the Metaponto region of Italy, this
species has been a serious pest of pepper. Damage to 30% of the fruit and 70 to 80%
of the plants was recorded in 2003. Larvae damage occurs on the leaves, flowers, and
fruits (reviewed in Lammers and MacLeod, 2007).

On cotton, two to three larvae on a plant can destroy all the bolls within 15 days. On
corn, the larvae consume grains. On tomatoes, larvae invade fruits, preventing fruit
development and causing the fruit to fall (CABI, 2007). Young larvae (second and third
instar) can cause up to 65% loss to cotton yields (Ting, 1986). In pigeon pea, an
important grain legume in south Asia, east Africa, and Latin America, this single pest
causes yield losses of up to 100% in some years and locations, and worldwide losses to
pigeon pea of more than $300 million per year (Thomas et al., 1997).

Management of Helicoverpa spp. in the past has relied heavily on the use of
insecticides, and this has led to resistance problems in cotton (Fitt, 1994). Resistance
to pyrethroids amongst H. armigera is a serious problem (McCaffrey et al., 1989;
Trowell et al., 1993).

Last Update: July 7, 2014 5

Known Hosts
Note: Not all host plants are equally preferred for oviposition but can be utilized in the
absence of a preferred host. There have been several studies within the laboratory
setting on host preference. Jallow and Zalucki (1996) found that oviposition was
highest on corn, sorghum, and tobacco, followed by cotton varieties. Cowpea and
alfalfa were the least preferred hosts for oviposition. Cotton and corn were more
suitable for development and reproduction of the cotton bollworm than peanut (Hou and
Sheng, 2000). Pigeon pea and corn are considered to be the most suitable hosts for
this insect, when compared to sorghum, red ambadi (Hibiscus subdariffa), marigold, and
artificial diet (Bantewad and Sarode, 2000). Tobacco, corn, and sunflower were
categorized as the most preferred hosts; soybean, cotton, and alfalfa were categorized
as intermediate hosts; and cabbage, pigweed, and linseed were the least preferred in
an additional study (Firempong and Zalucki, 1990a).

Major hosts
Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Allium spp. (onions, garlic, leek, etc.), Arachis
hypogaea (peanut), Avena sativa (oats), Brassicaeae (cruciferous crops), Cajanus
cajan (pigeon pea), Capsicum annuum (bell pepper), Carthamus tinctorius (safflower),
Cicer arietinum (chickpea, gram), Citrus spp., Cucurbitaceae (cucurbits), Dianthus
caryophyllus (carnation), Eleusine coracana (finger millet), Glycine max (soybean),
Gossypium spp. (cotton), Helianthus annuus (common sunflower), Hordeum vulgare
(barley), Lablab purpureus (hyacinth bean), Linum usitatissimum (flax), Malus spp.
(apple), Mangifera indica (mango), Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Nicotiana tabacum
(tobacco), Pelargonium spp. (geranium), Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet), Phaseolus
spp. (beans), Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean), Pinus spp. (pines), Pisum sativum
(pea), Prunus spp. (stone fruit), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Solanum melongena
(eggplant), Solanum tuberosum (potato), Sorghum bicolor (sorghum), Triticum spp.
(wheat), Triticum aestivum (wheat), Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), and Zea mays (corn)
(CABI, 2007).

Poor hosts
Vitis vinifera (grape) (Voros, 1996).

Wild hosts
Acalypha spp. (copperleaf), Amaranthus spp. (pigweed, amaranth), Datura spp., Datura
metel (datura), Gomphrena spp., Hyoscyamus niger (black henbane), and Sonchus
oleraceus (annual sowthislte) (Gu and Walter, 1999; CABI, 2007).

For a complete listing of hosts see Venette et al. (2003).

Pathogens or Associated Organisms Vectored

Helicoverpa armigera is not a known vector and does not have any associated
organisms.

Last Update: July 7, 2014 6

Known Distribution
Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia,
China, Cocos Islands, Republic of Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,
Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates,
Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen; Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar,
Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Portugal,
Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and
Ukraine; Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon,
Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote dIvoire, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,
Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte,
Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Reunion, Rwanda,
Saint Helena, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan,
Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe; Oceania:
American Samoa, Australia, Belau, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk
Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands,
Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu; South America: Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay (CABI,
2007; Fibiger and Skule, 2011; EPPO, 2012; Sugayama, 2013; Senave, 2013; Mura et
al., 2014).

Pathway
Helicoverpa armigera could potentially move through international trade. This species
has been intercepted over 800 times at U.S. ports of entry. Most interceptions occurred
on material meant for consumption (838), 23 interceptions were on material for non-
entry, and 3 were on material meant for propagation. Plant material interceptions have
occurred on: Bupleurum sp. (73), Ornithogalum sp. (60), Leucospermum sp. (45),
Veronica sp. (38), Tagetes sp. (32), and Capsicum sp. (25) among others. Most
interceptions originated on material from the Netherlands (275), Israel (209), India (64),
Kenya (28), Italy (27), Spain (25), and Zimbabwe (22) (AQAS, 2012; queried August 29,
2012).

This species is also capable of long-distance migratory flights (King, 1994; Zhou et al.,
2000; Casimero et al., 2001; Shimizu and Fujisaki, 2002; CABI, 2007).

Potential Distribution within the United States

According to Fowler and Lakin (2001), it is probable that H. armigera could establish in
every state in the continental United States based on habitat and host suitability and
would probably pose the greatest economic threat to the following states: Alabama,
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. A recent
risk map developed by USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST (Fig. 4), however, indicates that

Last Update: July 7, 2014 7

areas of southern coast states as well as portions of the southwest and West Coast
have the greatest risk for H. armigera establishment based on host availability and
climate in the continental United States. Areas of most states, however, have moderate
to low risk for H. armigera establishment.

Figure 5. Risk map for Helicoverpa armigera within the continental United States. Values from low to high
indicate risk based on climate and host availability. Map courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST. Check
www.nappfast.org for the most recent map updates.

Survey
CAPS-Approved Method*:
The CAPS-approved method is a trap and lure. The lure is effective for 28 days (4
weeks). The length of effectiveness of this lure may be reduced in hot and dry climates.
In these environments, lures may need to be changed every two weeks instead of every
four weeks.

Any of the following Trap Product Names in the IPHIS Survey Supply Ordering System
may be used for this target:
1) Plastic Bucket Trap
2) Heliothis Trap
3) Texas (Hartstack) Trap

Last Update: July 7, 2014 8

The Lure Product Name is Helicoverpa armigera Lure.

The Plastic Bucket Trap is also known as the unitrap. The trap has a green canopy,
yellow funnel, and white bucket and is used with a dry kill strip. See Brambila et al.
(2010) for instructions on using the plastic bucket trap.

The Texas (Hartstack) trap is not available commercially. See Hartstack et al. (1979) or
Johnson and McNeil (no date) for images and trap design.

IMPORTANT: Do not include lures for other target species in the trap when trapping for
this target.

Trap spacing: When trapping for more than one species of moth, separate traps for
different moth species by at least 20 meters (65 feet).

*For the most up-to-date methods for survey and identification, see Approved Methods
on the CAPS Resource and Collaboration Site, at http://caps.ceris.purdue.edu/.

Literature-Based Methods:
Trapping: (From Venette et al., 2003). Pheromone traps using (Z)-11-hexadecenal and
(Z)-9-hexadecenal in a 97:3 ratio have been used to monitor populations of H. armigera
(Pawar et al., 1988; Loganathan and Uthamasamy, 1998; Loganathan et al., 1999;
Visalakshmi et al., 2000; Zhou et al., 2000). Of three pheromone doses tested in the
field (0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 mg/septum), 1 mg attracted the most males (Loganathan and
Uthamasamy, 1998); the trap type was not specified. Rubber septa impregnated with
these sex pheromone components (1 mg/septum) were equally effective in capturing
males for 11 days in the laboratory (Loganathan et al., 1999). Captures of H. armigera
in the field were significantly lower with 15-day-old lures than with fresh lures, and the
authors recommend replacing lures every 13 days (Loganathan et al., 1999). Similar
observations were reported by Pawar et al. (1988). Males responded to the pheromone
during dark hours only, commencing at 6:00 PM and terminating at 6:00 AM. The
highest response was between 11:00 PM and 4:00 AM (Kant et al., 1999).

Trap design has a significant impact on the number of male H. armigera moths that will
be captured with pheromone lures. Funnel traps and Texas traps are substantially
more effective than sticky traps (Kant et al., 1999). Hartstack (i.e., hollow cone) traps
have also been used to effectively monitor densities of adults (Walker and Cameron,
1990). Cone traps are significantly more effective than water-pan traps (Sheng et al.,
2002).

Survey site selection:

This species can be surveyed for in a variety of crops due to its polyphagous nature.
The larvae feed mainly on the flowers and fruit of high value crops. Helicoverpa
armigera has been reported causing serious losses throughout its range, in particular to
tomatoes, cotton, and corn.

Last Update: July 7, 2014 9

Trap placement:
Traps should be placed 1.5 to 1.8 m (~5 to 6 ft) above the ground (Aheer et al., 2009;
Kant et al., 1999; and Zhou et al., 2000).

Time of year to survey:

Moths emerge in May to June depending on latitude, and lay eggs singly on a variety of
host plants on or near floral structures.

Not recommended: Visual inspections of plants for eggs and/or larvae are frequently
used to monitor and assess population sizes for H. armigera. Females lay several
hundred eggs on the top 20 cm (7 7/8 in) of leaves, flowers, and fruits (Duffield and
Chapple, 2000). The lower leaf surface is a preferred oviposition site. Eggs may hatch
in less than 3 days at an optimum temperature of 27 to 28C (81 to 82F). The feeding
larvae can be seen on the surface of plants but they are often hidden within plant
organs (flowers, fruits, etc.). Bore holes and heaps of frass (excrement) may be visible,
but otherwise it is necessary to cut open the plant organs, especially damaged fruit, to
detect the pest (Bouchard et al., 1992). In temperate regions, H. armigera overwinters
as a pupa buried several cm in the soil. Adults appear in April to May and can be
observed until October, because of the long migration period.

In vegetative Australian cotton and irrigated soybean, a minimum of 60 whole plants per
100 hectare commercial field are examined for the presence of H. armigera eggs or
larvae. When plants begin to produce squares, only the upper terminal (approximately
20 cm or 7 7/8 in) of a plant is inspected (Brown, 1984; Dillon and Fitt, 1995; Duffield and
Chapple, 2000). In experimental plots, visual inspections for H. armigera in pigeon pea
were restricted to the upper third of whole plants (four sets of five plants in a 30 x 30
meter plot) (Sigsgaard and Ersbll, 1999).

Leaves of tomato plants are more attractive than flowers or fruits as H. armigera
oviposition sites, but use of a single-leaf sample unit (with a sample size of 30 plants
per field) has proven ineffective in detecting low densities of H. armigera (Cameron et
al., 2001). On some tomato cultivars, leaves in the upper half of the plant are
preferentially selected for oviposition (Saour and Causse, 1993).

For CAPS surveys, visual survey is not an approved method for this species.

Adults of both sexes can be captured in black light traps. For CAPS surveys, light traps
are not an approved method for this species as they are not species-specific.

Key Diagnostics/Identification
CAPS-Approved Method*:
Confirmation of Helicoverpa armigera is by morphological examination. Helicoverpa
armigera and the native, abundant species, Helicoverpa zea, are very similar in
appearance. Helicoverpa armigera cannot be visually distinguished from H. zea; all
specimens require dissection. Final identification requires dissection of adult male

Last Update: July 7, 2014 10

genitalic structures. Instructions for preparing and dissecting the specimens are
available at Brambila (2009b); see below for link.

For field level screening, use:

Brambila, J. 2009a. Helicoverpa armigera - Old World Bollworm, Field Screening Aid
and Diagnostic Aid.

Instructions for dissecting H. armigera are available at:

Brambila, J. 2009b. Dissection instructions for identifying male Helicoverpa amigera and
H. zea.

A guide to larval identification is available at:

Passoa, S. 2007. Identification guide to larval Heliothinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of
quarantine significance.

*For the most up-to-date methods for survey and identification, see Approved Methods
on the CAPS Resource and Collaboration Site, at http://caps.ceris.purdue.edu/.

Easily Confused Species

Several noctuid pests can be confused easily with H. armigera, including H. assulta and
H. punctigera (both are not known in the United States), and H. zea and Chloridea
virescens (formerly Heliothis virescens) (both are present in the United States)
(Kirkpatrick, 1961; CABI, 2007). A morphological study of H. assulta, H. punctigera,
and Chloridea virescens compares similarities and differences between species; a key
is provided for identifying adults (Kirkpatrick, 1961).

Commonly Encountered Non-targets

The native species Helicoverpa zea is strongly attracted to the H. armigera pheromone
lure. Differentiation between H. armigera and H. zea is very difficult; identification is by
dissection of internal structures of adult males (Pogue, 2004). Cahill et al. (1984)
provide morphological information to distinguish third/fourth and sixth instars of H.
armigera and H. punctigera. Brambila (2009a) and Brambila (2009b) should be used to
screen for or identify adult H. armigera males.

In addition, some native Spodoptera species frequently occur in H. armigera traps,

including male and female Spodoptera frugiperda and S. ornithogalli. To the untrained
observer, these moths may look similar to the target (all are brownish colored moths);
however, on closer inspection, the Spodoptera moths can be screened out of the
samples. Spodoptera frugiperda is smaller with narrower wings and tends to be grey.
Spodoptera ornithogalli is similar in size but its wings are banded in cream and dark
brown.
Another species that is commonly found in H. armigera traps is Leucania adjuta (J.
Brambila, personal communication, 2014). This non-target may occur in large numbers
in traps. Leucania adjuta males (Figure 6) are generally similar in size and color to
Helicoverpa zea and H. armigera but have various differences on wing color patterns

Last Update: July 7, 2014 11

(Brambila, personal communication, 2014). Surveyors should screen these moths out if
possible; however, the specimens may be submitted if the moths are in poor condition
or the surveyor does not feel comfortable screening these non-target out of the traps.

Figure 6. Leucania adjuta. Photo courtesy

of Mark J. Dreiling.

For images of genitalia of the native moth, Leucania adjuta see:

Brambila, J. 2010. Images of Leucania adjuta genitalia.

For additional images of Leucania adjuta, see:

http://www.nearctica.com/leucania/sysfly/Ladjuta.htm

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=10456

References
Aheer, G. M., A. Ali, and M. Akram. 2009. Effect of weather factors on populations of Helicoverpa
armigera moths at cotton-based agro-ecological sites. Entomological Research 29: 36-42.

AQAS. 2012. Helicoverpa armigera interceptions. Last accessed August 29, 2012 from:
https://mokcs14.aphis.usda.gov/aqas/HomePageInit.do#defaultAnchor.

Bantewad, S. D. and S. V. Sarode. 2000. Influence of different hosts on the biology of Helicoverpa
armigera (Hbner). Shashpa 7(2): 133-136.

Bhatt, N. J. and P. K. Patel. 2001. Biology of chickpea pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera. Indian Journal
of Entomology 63(3): 255-259.

Bouchard, D., A. Oudraogo, and G. Boivins. 1992. Vertical distribution, spatial dispersion and
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This datasheet was developed by USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST staff. Cite this document
as:

Sullivan, M. and T. Molet. 2007. CPHST Pest Datasheet for Helicoverpa armigera.
USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST. Revised April 2014.

Revisions
April 2014
1) Revised the Key Diagnostics/Identification section.
2) Revised the Easily Confused Species section.
3) Added the Commonly Encountered Non-targets section.
4) Added Figure 6 and link to Brambila, J. 2010. Images of Leucania adjuta genitalia.

July 2014
1) Revised the Distribution section.

Last Update: July 7, 2014 17