Heliothis caterpillars

Abstract

Caterpillars of Heliothis armiger are serious pests of a wide range of crops in Papua New Guinea. Crops which are often badly damaged include corn (maize), sorghum, tomato, capsicum, tobacco and a range of legumes. Heliothis caterpillars also feed on cabbage, cocoa, carnation, coffee, lettuce, potato, pumpkin, rice, sweet potato, taro, tea and watermelon. The caterpillars feed on the leaves, young developing shoots, flower buds, flowers and developing seeds and fruits. Heliothis caterpillars as a pest of sorghum are discussed in Entomology Bulletin No. 35. This bulletin deals with heliothis cater­pillars as pests of other crops.