African bollworm
Common Name
Helicoverpa armigera
Scientific Name
African bollworm, Fruitworm, Podborer, Corn earworm, Tomato grub, Tobacco budworm
Issue
Insect
Causes
Preference for the harvestable flowering parts of high-value crops for example tomatoes
Prevention
(1) Crop rotation, (2) enhancement of soil quality, choice of resistant varieties, (3) water management, monitoring, (4) screening and field sanitation, (5) mechanical barriers and post-harvest treatments. (6) Use of wild flower strips and hedgerows,
Control
introduction of predators and pathogens ( beneficial insects and fungi). Synthetic pesticides-Bacillus thuringiensis and neem. Biopesticides- pheromones and natural products. Plant extracts- (neem, garlic, pepper and marigold). Physical methods-insect t