Comparative Reproductive Performance of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Reared on Thirteen Soybean Varieties

Reproduction parameters for Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were determined and compared on 13 soybean varieties (DPX, L17, BP, Clark, JK, 356, M4, M7, M9, Gorgan3,Sahar, Zane and Williams) at 25±1ºC, 65±5% RH over a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) hours. Reproduction parameters were estimated for individual newly emerged moths, which had spent their immature stages on different soybean varieties. The highest rate of gross fecundity was on M4 (2,238 eggs female-1), whereas the lowest value of this parameter was on Gorgan3 (467 eggs female-1). The gross fertility rate was the highest on M7 (782 eggs female-1) and lowest on Gorgan3 (49 eggs female-1). The net fecundity rate varied from 192 (BP) to 1,275 eggs (M7). The net fertility rate was the highest on M7 (586 eggs female-1) and lowest on Sahar (56 eggs female-1). The daily number of eggs laid per female ranged from 50 to 282 eggs, the minimum on Gorgan3 and the maximum on M4. Our results demonstrated that M9, Williams, Clark, L17, M7, M4 and Zane varieties were more suitable host plants for reproduction of the studied population of H. armigera. The other varieties examined showed less suitability as host plants for H. armigera reproduction.