| Category |
Agricultural |
| Species |
armigera |
| Genus |
Helicoverpa |
| Order |
Lepidoptera |
| Family |
Noctuidae |
| Symptoms |
Defoliation, Fruit damage |
| Biology |
Chewed leaves, skeletonization, defoliation. |
| Control Methods |
Biological Control: Introduce natural predators like birds, parasitoid wasps, and beneficial insects (e.g., ladybugs, praying mantises) that feed on caterpillars. Handpicking: Physically remove caterpillars from plants and manually destroy them. This method is practical for smaller infestations. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): Use Bt-based insecticides, which are natural bacteria that specifically target and kill caterpillars while being safe for other organisms. Botanical Insecticides: Some botanical insecticides derived from plants (e.g., neem oil, pyrethrins) can be effective against caterpillars. Insecticidal Soaps: Use insecticidal soaps to control soft-bodied caterpillars by disrupting their cell membranes. Physical Barriers: Use row covers or netting to prevent adult butterflies from laying eggs on plants, reducing caterpillar infestations. |
| Growth Stage |
Vegetative |
| Disease Name |
n/a |
| Synonym |
Corn earworm, Native budworm |
| Host Name |
Sweet corn; beans; peas; lettuce; brassica vegetables; greenhouse vegetables; wide range of crops. |
| Affected Parts |
Sweet corn; beans; peas; lettuce; brassica vegetables; greenhouse vegetables; wide range of crops. |
