Biology and fertility life table of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in different hosts

In 2013, the presence of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) was reported in cotton, soybean, corn and weeds in diverse regions of Brazil. We studied the biology and the fertility life table of this pest when reared on cotton (293 cv. CNPA RF), soybean (cv. Brasmax Power), corn (cv. BRS 1010), wheat (cv. BR 18) and on an artificial diet. Caterpillars were reared using the vegetative and reproductive structures of the hosts, under laboratory conditions (temperature 25 ± 1°C; relative humidity (RH) 70 ± 10%; photoperiod =14 h). The experimental design was completely randomized, with five treatments (four host plants and artificial diet) and 17 replications. Significant effects were verified for the different types of hosts tested on the growth of the insect as well as on fecundity and laying rate. The results showed that cotton and soybean had higher viability at the stages of growth, higher rate of survival of adult females in the reproductive period than the other host crops, and similar values for insects reared on an artificial diet, which reveals that cotton and soybean can be appropriate for rearing H. armigera on a natural diet. Corn and wheat showed high larval and pupal mortality and low biotic potential.