Comparison of biological and reproductive parameters between Helicoverpa zea and Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) reared on artificial diet in Argentina

M. GABRIELA MURÚA; VERA A.; HERRERO M. INES; FOGLIATA SOFIA; DANIEL SOSA GOMEZ

Congreso; XXVII Congreso Brasilero y X Congreso Latino-Americano de Entomología; 2018

The Heliothinae complex in Argentina encompasses Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar), H. armigera (Hübner), H. zea (Boddie), and Chloridea virescens (Fabricius). Helicoverpa zea and H. armigera are genetically and physiologically closely related species that have mating compatibility under laboratory conditions. Considering the presence of H. armigera in Argentina, the lack information about its biology and evolutionary relationship with H. zea, the aim of this study was to compare biological and reproductive parameters of H. zea and H. armigera collected in Argentina. Collected larvae of both species were reared on artificial diet under controlled environmental conditions. Biological and reproductive parameters were evaluated. The biological parameters that presented significant differences between both species were egg and larva duration. The egg duration was 6.46 ± 0.09 and 3.53 ± 0.03 days and the larval duration was 24.5 ± 0.13 and 13.27 ± 0.21 days of H. zea and H. armigera respectively. Pupa duration, male and female longevities were in general 11, 12 and 13 days for both species. Pre-oviposition was 1.45 ± 0.15 and 4.86 ± 0.23 days, oviposition was 3.1 ± 0.29 and 7.14 ± 0.67 days and post-oviposition was 8.2 ± 0.93 and 1.95 ± 0.35 days of H. zea and H. armigera respectively. The average number of eggs per female and percentage of egg hatch were 330 and 94 and they were not significantly different between species. These results provide for first time biological studies comparing H. zea and H. armigera in Argentina. This information could be important for the development of integrated management strategies of these species in South America.