Population fluctuation and determination of infestation rate of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in second crop cotton fields in Söke Plain
Abstract
The cotton bollworm [Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] is one of the most important pests of cotton and causes significant crop losses in cotton, especially to generative organs, by doing damage. This study was carried out in three neighborhoods of the Söke district in second-crop cotton fields where delta-type sexual attractant traps were set in order to determine the adult population fluctuation and infestation rate of the cotton bollworm in 2023 and 2024. For this purpose, three second-crop cotton fields were determined in the Akçakonak, Doğanbey, and Güllübahçe neighborhoods, and the adult individuals in the traps were counted regularly. The infestation rate was calculated as a percentage using the numerical data obtained. The number of adult individuals in the traps set to determine the population fluctuation of cotton bollworms reached the highest level in September 2023 in the Akçakonak neighborhood and in July in the Doğanbey and Güllübahçe neighborhoods. In 2024, the number of adult individuals reached the highest level in September in the Akçakonak, Doğanbey, and Güllübahçe neighborhoods. The infestation rates were recorded as 57, 61, and 45% in the Akçakonak, Doğanbey, and Güllübahçe neighborhoods in 2023, respectively, and 12, 16, and 16% in 2024, respectively. In conclusion, in this study conducted to determine the population fluctuation and infestation rate of the cotton bollworm, it was concluded that monitoring the adult individuals with delta-type sexual attractant traps is important in determining the time of control and in deciding on the control.
Keywords
Cotton, Delta trap, Helicoverpa armigera, Infestation, Population fluctuation, Söke Plain
Supporting Institution
Project Number
References
- Abdelrahman, A.A., Alsaffar, A., Munir, B., & Stam, P.A. (1998). Cotton integrated pest management in Central Sudan. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 16(1), 52-54.
- Akçam, Ş. (2019). Determination of population fluctuation and control timing of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a pest in cotton fields of Nurdağı (Gaziantep) district. MSc Thesis, University of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam.
- Akyıldız, M., & Bayhan, E. (2018). Determination of population fluctuation of American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on cotton fields in Diyarbakır, Turkey. Harran Journal of Agricultural and Food Science, 22(2), 186-195. https:// doi. org/10.29050/harranziraat.364496.
- Anonymous. (2017). Cotton Integrated Pest Management Technical Instructions. Retrieved 20 May 2025 from https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/TAGEM/Belgeler/yayin/Pamuk%20Entegre-29.08.2017.pdf
- Anonymous. (2018). 2018 Cotton Report. Retrieved 20 May 2025 from https://ticaret.gov.tr/data/5d41e59913b87639ac9e02e8/d0e2b9c79234684ad29baf256a0e7dce.pdf
- Atakan, E., & Boyacı, K. (2017). Influence of various planting techniques and time on development of bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hubn. Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and plant development in cotton. Turkish Bulletin of Entomology, 7(2), 143-156. http://dx.doi.org/10.16969/entoteb.289802
- Chen, P., Zhang, Z.Q., Xu, W., Wang, K, Zhu, G., Lu, L., & Liu, H. (1991). Effects of chemical control of the cotton aphid during the early season on cotton plants on natural enemies and yield. Journal of Applied Entomology, 111, 211-215. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.1991.tb00313.x
- Eren, S. (2006). Population development, infestation rate, and determination of natural enemies of the spiny bollworm (Earias insulana Boisd.) in cotton in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. MSc Thesis, University of Harran.
- Göven, M.A., & Efil, L. (1994). Studies on the natural enemies and their effectiveness against the pest cotton bollworm (Heliothis armigera Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in cotton fields of the Tigris Valley. Proceedings of the 3rd Biological Control Congress of Turkey, 25–28 January, İzmir, 449–457.
- ICAC. (2024). International Cotton Advisory Committee, Cotton This Month. Retrieved 30 June 2024 from https://icac.org/Content/PublicationsPdf%20Files/7a8ca3ba_5904_4d45_a94b_faea9a5ceb46/ _2024_09_03.pdf.pdf


