Comparative Performance of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Chickpea and Faba Bean

Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most economically important agricultural pests of chickpea in Asia and Africa. Though most of the H. armigera biology was studied on chickpea, yet better understanding on fababean was still important. The present study was conducted to better understand the life cycle of H. armigera reared on chickpea and faba bean under laboratory conditions via the development of age-stage life tables. The results of life table study indicated that the highest survival rate was during the late larval instar on both hosts followed by early instars. High mortality was during prepupal stage on chickpea and during the 5th larval instar on faba bean. Total larval period was 15.8 days on chickpea and 15.1 days on faba bean. Larvae reared on chickpea exhibited the longest (14.9 days) period of mean total pupal and pre-oviposition durations. Maximum fecundity and eggs viability were recorded from insect reared on chickpea. The current result revealed that chickpea was the more suitable host for reproduction and survival of H. armigera than faba bean under laboratory condition.