Observation of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Infestation on Gladiolus grandiflorus (Iridaceae) in Çanakkale

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), the cotton bollworm, is the serious and commonly known pest in agricultural areas in the world. In this study, H. armigera was reared at 23±2°C, 65% RH and 16:8 h L:D in the laboratory on leaves and flowers of Gladiolus grandiflorus. The eggs were laid singly on the upper side of the G. grandiflorus leaves. There were 5 larval stages based on molts and head capsule measurements. The development of larvae was completed in an average of 16.75 ± 4.13 days and the survival rate was 64.1%. In this study, developmental period of larval stages, adult fecundity and pupal sex differentiation were determined on the ornamental host of the pest.