Australian Journal of Zoology (1996) 44, 531-539

M.F.A. Jallow and M.P. Zalucki (1996)
Within- and between-population variation in host-plant preference and specificity in Australian Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Australian Journal of Zoology 44 (5), 531-539
Abstract: Using a tethered-insect technique, we investigated within- and between-population variation in the post-alighting host-plant preference and specificity of female Helicoverpa armigera from four populations. No significant difference occurred among populations in host-plant preference. Differences in host-plant preference existed among female moths within a population, and these differences are under genetic control and heritable. Most females ranked maize, sorghum and tobacco highest, followed by cotton varieties DP90 and HG660. The least-preferred plants were cowpea and lucerne. A few females (20%) differed from this general pattern and among each other, and reversed the rank order of host plants. Within a population, individual female moths differed in their host-plant specificity, with some individuals being more generalist than others. Similarly, significant differences occurred in host-plant specificity among populations. The relevance of these findings are discussed in relation to polyphagy in H. armigera.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Myron P. Zalucki, Mustapha F.A. Jallow

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Helicoverpa armigera	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
	Helicoverpa armigera	Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)
	Helicoverpa armigera	Cotton (Gossypium)
	Helicoverpa armigera	Sorghum (crop)