The moth of Helicoverpa armigera (African bollworm), visiting flowers of Brunsvigia bosmaniae. Bokkeveld Escarpment, Northern Cape, South Africa. [photo Colin Paterson-Jones ©]

Helicoverpa armigera larvae (caterpillars) feed on a very wide variety of plants worldwide, including many important crop species. The name, bollworm, arises from the fact that larvae eat cotton bolls.

Ecological interactions

Larval hostplants in southern Africa

The information here is extracted mainly from HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants (Natural History Museum, London). All host plant records are included for plant species that have been recorded as native, naturalised or cultivated in southern Africa, even if the host plant relationship was recorded outside of southern Africa.

• Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra, Lady's fingers, Gumbo) - eat fruit

• Acacia catechu (Catechu, Cutch)

• Albizia procera

• Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) - eat flowers, leaves, pods

• Allium cepa (Onion, Spring onion, Shallot)

• Amaranthus viridis

• Antirrhinum majus (Snapdragon) - eats flowers and fruit

• Arachis hypogaea (Peanut, Groundnut)

• Avena sativa (Oats)

• Azadirachta indica (Neem, Margosa)

• Brassica oleracea (Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Cauliflower, Kale)

• Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea, Red gram)

• Calamintha glandulosa (Lesser calamint)

• Calendula (marigold genus)

• Cannabis sativa (Hemp, Dagga)

• Capsicum annuum (Sweet pepper, Chilli pepper, Cayenne pepper and Paprika)

• Carduus (thistles)

• Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower)

• Celosia - eat flowers

• Chenopodium album (Fat hen, Goosefoot, Lamb's quarters)

• Chrysanthemum coronarium (Garland chrysanthemum, Edible chrysanthemum)

• Cicer arietinum (Chickpea)

• Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon, Tsamma)

• Citrus (e.g. oranges, lemons) - eats flowers and fruit

• Cleome

• Coffea arabica (Arabian coffee, Arabica coffee)

• Convolvulus arvensis (Field bindweed)

• Crocosmia

• Crotalaria juncea (Bombay hemp, Sunn hemp) - eat pods

• Cucumis (spaanspek, winter melon, cucumber genus)

• Cucurbita pepo (Gem Squash, Marrow, Courgette)

• Cynodon dactylon (Couch grass)

• Dalbergia sissoo (Sissoo)

• Datura stramonium (Common thorn-apple)

• Daucus carota (Carrot)

• Dianthus caryophyllus (Carnation, Clove pink) - eats flowers

• Eleusine coracana (African finger millet, Ragi)

• Eucalyptus

• Galinsoga

• Geranium

• Gerbera jamesonii (Barberton Daisy)

• Glycine max (Soybean)

• Gossypium (Cotton)

• Guizotia abyssinica

• Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)

• Hibiscus cannabinus (Kenaf, Deccan hemp, Bimlipatum jute)

• Hibiscus mutabilis (Tree hollyhock)

• Hordeum vulgare (Barley)

• Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato)

• Justicia

• Lablab purpureus

• Lactuca sativa (Lettuce)

• Lagenaria siceraria (Bottle gourd, Calabash)

• Lantana camara

• Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet pea)

• Lens culinaris (Lentil)

• Leucadendron (conebushes)

• Linum usitatissimum (Flax, Linseed)

• Lupinus albus (Egyptian lupin, White lupin)

• Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)

• Malus domestica (Domestic apple)

• Medicago sativa (Alfalfa, Lucerne, Medic)

• Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco)

• Oryza sativa (Rice)

• Papaver (poppies)

• Pelargonium

• Pennisetum glaucum (Pearl millet, Bulrush millet)

• Pentzia

• Phaseolus vulgaris (Green beans and other varieties)

• Pinus kesiya (Khasya pine)

• Pinus radiata (Monterey pine, Radiata pine)

• Pisum sativum (Garden pea)

• Platanus orientalis (Oriental plane)

• Prunus armeniaca (Apricot)

• Prunus persica (Peach & Nectarine)

• Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir, Oregon pine)

• Reseda (mignonettes)

• Ricinus communis (Castor oil plant)

• Rosa (roses)

• Solanum capsicoides (Cockroach berry)

• Solanum tuberosum (Potato)

• Sorghum bicolor (Sorghum, Grain sorghum)

• Steirodiscus tagetes

• Tagetes erecta (African marigold)

• Theobroma cacao (Cacao)

• Trifolium (clovers)

• Vigna radiata (Mung bean)

• Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea, Black-eyed beans, Black-eyed peas)

• Viola (pansies and violets)

• Zea mays (Maize, Corn)

Links

• Helicoverpa armigera (Wikipedia)

• Robinson, G. S., P. R. Ackery, I. J. Kitching, G. W. Beccaloni & L. M. Hernández, 2010. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosts. (Accessed: 18 Aug.2010).