Seasonal bionomics of Heliothis armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Terai Belt of northeastern Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Heliothis armigera (Hubner) completed five generations in the laboratory, as well as in the field, in a year. The first generation was completed from the first week of December to the fourth week of February, the second generation from the second week of February to first week of April. The third generation from third week of August passing through the extreme summer, the fourth generation during monsoon period and the fifth last generation from the third week of September to the fourth week of November. The seasonal variation in generation time is largely due to extreme variations in ecological factors, temperature (10–45°C), photoperiod (10–14 hr), relative humidity (15–95%) and rainfall. These factors also affect the percentage of pupation, emergence and fecundity of the female moths. Males outnumbered the females in the first, second and fifth generation. The females lived longer than males in all generations.