Effects of thermophotoperiod on growth parameters of Helicoverpa armigera

The effects of photoperiod and temperature on growth parameters of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were investigated under laboratory conditions by exposing its larvae to fluctuating and alternating temperature regimes. Our data made evident that the interplay between photoperiod and temperature has a direct effect on growth parameter responses of H. armigera. However, the type of temperature regime (fluctuating or alternating) may enhance or diminish the effects of photoperiod. With fluctuating temperature, larval developmental time was significantly reduced with increasing photophase, irrespective of the diapause status later in the pupal stage; the lowest value was observed under continuous light conditions. With alternating temperature, larval developmental time was significantly decreased with the reduction in temperature amplitude, and with the coincidence of the thermophase with the scotophase. At both temperature regimes, no significant differences in pupal weight were observed between diapausing and non‐diapausing individuals, although, in most treatments, the diapausing pupae tended to be heavier than the non‐diapausing ones. The increased pupal weight of individuals destined for diapause is probably related to their longer larval developmental time. Knowing the effects of these factors on the variation of H. armigera growth is necessary in explaining phenomena associated with immature stages, and can lead to a more profound understanding of the potential for this insect to evolve in response to environmental changes.