Cotton Bollworm

Heliothis zea

Biology
Bollworms and budworms feed on a wide range of host plants including lespedeza, Carolina geranium, tobacco, and cotton. However, tobacco budworms rarely feed on corn, soybean, or grain sorghum which are hosts for the cotton bollworm. The eggs are laid singly and hatch in 3 to 5 days into young larvae. The larvae feed for about 16-17 days on young terminals, squares, and bolls. A generation is completed in 27 to 35 days during the summer months. Many predators and parasites prey upon the bollworm and contribute to its control particularly during the early part of the growing season. Bollworms only cause damage in the larval stage. Young larvae usually feed first on terminals and small squares and may sometimes destroy the terminal bud. This results in branching of the plant. The squares and bolls are fed upon extensively by larvae and serious damage occurs in a relatively short period of -time. Larvae feed on 6 to 7 squares and 2 to 3 bolls during their developmental period. Bolls fed upon usually rot and don't develop further

Resource: University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service (http://www.aragriculture.org/insects/cotton/bollworm_budworm.htm)
Resource of Foto: Bruce Marlin 2002 (http://www.cirrusimage.com/moths_heliothis.htm)