Abstract:
An experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions at Gedarif, Sudan to study the biology of the African bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hub) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and to determine the amount of food consumed by 3rd to 6th larval instars on the three sunflower varieties, i.e.(Damazin-1) open pollinated and two hybrids (Hysun 33 and Pannar 7355). The results showed that females of H. armigera laid their eggs singly. The maximum number of eggs laid per a single female was on followed by Pannar 7355 (78-467)Damazin-1 (79-893) and the minimum eggs laid was recorded on Hysun33 (70-531). Six larval instars were developed on the three sunflower varieties during 11-15, 11-14 and 10-12 days on Damazin-1, Hysun 33 and Pannar 7355, respectively. The life cycle was longer with Damazin-1(24-45 days) than that with two hybrids Pannar 7355 (22-40 days) and Hysun 33 (28-34 days). The total amount of food consumed was greater on Damazin-1 (210.7 mg) compared to Pannar 7355 (149.8mg) and Hysun 33 (118.3mg).
