The Biology and Food Consumption of the African Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hub) on Sunflower at Gedarif, Sudan

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).