Improving mass rearing of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by feeding neonates on chickpea plant

Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a cosmopolitan polyphagous pest. Researchers need a simple mass rearing procedure to study the life history, behavior, and feeding habits of insects. In the present study, effects of container type (Petri dishes or transparent cubic-containers), the form of positioning the containers (overturned or upright), and diet type (artificial diet or natural diet, i.e., chickpea plants) on the development and survival of neonate of H. armigera were assessed. Additionally, effects of container type and ventilation (air circulation in rearing containers) on development and survival of second to sixth instars, percentage of pupation, and adult emergence were assessed. Container type had no significant effect on the development and survival of the neonates and subsequent instars. More neonates survived to the second instar when reared in the containers held overturned, compared to those held upright. The neonates reared on chickpea plants had a shorter larval development and a higher survival rate than those reared on an artificial diet. The percentage of pupation and adult emergence of second instars reared individually in ventilated containers was higher than that of those reared in unventilated containers. As a food source for neonates, chickpea plants could improve the mass rearing of H. armigera.

Keywords:

Helicoverpa armigera , cotton bollworm , mass rearing , survival , artificial diet , rearing container