This is a presentation on rearing of Helicoverpa armygera and study of its lifecyle.

1. A Presentation On
Rearing of Helicoverpa armigera
and study of its lifecycle.
Prepared by:
Suraj Poudel
B.Sc.Ag. 6th Sem
IAAS, Paklihawa campus

2. Classification
Fig: Helicoverpa armigera
 Kingdom: Animalia
 Phylum: Arthropoda
 Class: Insecta
 Order: Lepidoptera
 Family: Noctuidae
 Genus : Helicoverpa
 Species: armigera
 Common names: Chickpea pod borer,
tomato fruit borer , cotton bollworm

3.  Helicoverpa armigera is known as chickpea pod borer, tomato
fruit borer , cotton bollworm and corn earworm.
 Helicoverpa armigera is polyphagous insect-pest. It is serious and
most important pest of pulses.
 The major host are cotton , tomato , maize, chick pea, where as
secondary host are alfa-alfa, tobacco, soybean, pea, pumpkin,
squash, castor oil plant, jute etc.
 It’s larvae feed on leaf before pod formation and after pod
formation ,they bore pod & damage seed which becomes
unsuited for human consumption.
INTRODUCTION

4. Life cycle of Helicoverpa

5. The eggs are deposited one by one or in
groups of 2-3 on the upper surface of
leaves and on reproductive organs, such
as flowers, bracts, buds, on filaments of
ears, panicles, and pubescent parts of
maize stalks.
The eggs are 0.5mm in diameter and
take 2 to 5 days to hatch. Their color
changes from white to brown.
The black head of larva is visible before
it hatches.
The First Stage- Egg Stage

6.  The larval period lasts for 13 to 22 days.
 In the final 6th instar the larvae reach a
length of 35-44mm.
 They are greenish and yellow to red-
brown. The head is yellow with several
spots and thoracic scutum has dark
pattern.
 The dark stripes extend along the dorsal
side, and one yellow stripe is located under
spiracles on lateral side. The ventral part of
larvae is usually light green.
The Second Stage- Larva

7. The pupae develop over 10-15 days in
soil at a depth of 4 to 10cm.
They overwinter in soil clods.
The color varies from dark brown to
red brown.
The body length is 15-20mm.
The Third Stage- Pupa

8. Moths vary in color from reddish
brown to whitish green brown.
The adult has the body length of
12-20mm and a wing span of 30-
40mm.
The forewings are brown with a
single dark spot surrounded by
fine markings. The hind wings are
light brown with slightly dark
margins.
The Fourth Stage- Adult

9. It is very destructive in nature.
 Young larva start feeding by scraping tender foliage, buds
and flower.
 Later on, older larva attack on fruit making circular hole and
enters inside the fruit. It feeds on the inner content of fruit and
cause damage.
The infested fruit becomes messy, watery and is filled with
skin cast.
Fruit ripens prematurely and becomes unfit for consumption.
 Larval development takes place inside the fruit.
Nature of damage

10.  Follow clean cultivation and remove all the infested fruit from field to reduce the
borer incidence.
 Deep summer ploughing to expose pupal stage and destroy them by natural
enemies or dehydrating by scorching sun.
 Use pheromone trap with Helilure @ 15 traps per hac for mass trapping of adult
moth. Lure should be changed once in 15 days.
 Use trap crop like Calendula or tall and yellow type marigold.
 Release of Trichogramma chilonis in borer infested field for 6 times @ 50,000
parasitized eggs per hectare soon after appearance of moth in field.
 Spray Bt. based formulation like DIPEL or BIOLEP @ 3gm per lit water during
evening time at 10 days interval.
 Spray neem based pesticides such as Margosom or Neemarin or Biomultineem @
5ml per liter water
 Conserve natural enemies adapting suitable agricultural practices.
 Spray Thiodane 35% EC (Endosulfan) @ 1.5ml per liter water before the entry of
larva into fruit.
Management

11.  To know about the methods of rearing insects.
 To be well acquainted with damaging effects of
Helicoverpa armigera.
 To be able to know about the life cycle of Helicoverpa
armigera.
Objective

12.  Materials:
 Rearing bottle or box
 Insect ( larva)
 Feed ( pea pod and leaf )
 Methodology :
 The larva of Helicoverpa was collected from IAAS farm on
2019/2/6.
 Then, it was reared in plastic rearing box.
 Pea pod and leaf was given as feed to the larva.
 With the time, larva grows and became pupa and adult finally.
 The excreta produced by larva was removed and feed was
changed daily.
 Rearing Period: From 2019/2/6 to 2019/3/8
Rearing Materials &methodology

13. Stage Appearance Life cycle duration
(days)
Egg -------------- -----------
Larva Green color at beginning
& later changes to
greyish green with
longitudinal stripes on
dorsal part of body.
10 (larval rearing period)
Pupa Greenish white and later
changes to dark brick red
color
15
Adult forewings are brown
with a single dark spot
surrounded by fine
markings. The hind wings
are light brown with
slightly dark margins.
7(died due hunger)
Observation

14. Photos of insect rearing
Fig: larva casting off to
become pupa
Fig: pupae after casting off
larval skin

15. Photos of insect rearing
Fig:pupa of Helicoverpa armigera at initial
stage
Fig: pupa of Helicoverpa armigera at
final stage

16. Photos of insect rearing
Fig Adult of Helicoverpa armigera
Fig: Helicoverpa armigera (dead) and
pupal exuvae

17. • Finally, the rearing of Helicoverpa armigera
(female) was done with proper observation.
• The different life stages of the insect was studied.
• We reared insect and observed them as they pass
through different stages.
• Insect rearing was not only educational, but also
found to be enjoyable.
Conclusion

18. • Bozsik A, 2007. The damage of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner)
on Brugmansia × candida in Hungary
• Ditman LP, Cory EN, 1931. The corn earworm: biology and control. Bulletin of
Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, 328:443-482.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicoverpa_armigera. Retrieved on: 2020/1/3
• https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/26757#toreferences Retrieved on: 2020/1/3
References