Helicoverpa Armigera (Fruit Borer/Cotton Bollworm)

The Fruit Borer or Cotton Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is a major pest affecting a wide range of crops, including cotton, tomatoes, and pulses. Here are some key points about it:

Appearance: The larvae are greenish to brown with dark stripes along the body. The adult moths have pale brown forewings with a dark spot in the center and pale hindwings with a dark border.

Damage: The larvae feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of the host plants, causing significant yield losses. They bore into the fruits and pods, making them unmarketable.

Life Cycle: The life cycle includes egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. The larvae are the most damaging stage.

Management: Effective management includes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies such as:

Cultural Practices: Deep plowing, crop rotation, and destruction of crop residues to reduce pest populations.

Biological Control: Using natural predators and parasitoids like Trichogramma spp. and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

Chemical Control: Applying insecticides like indoxacarb, flubendiamide, and chlorantraniliprole as needed.

Pheromone Traps: Setting up pheromone traps to monitor and reduce adult moth populations.