Asian cotton bollworm: how to deal with a brand new pest
Among the varieties of scoops, cotton can be distinguished. It feeds on cultivated and wild plants. The insect can damage more than 120 crops. Caterpillars are especially dangerous. Dealing with them is not an easy process.
Content
Photo of a cotton scoop
Description of the cotton scoop
Name: cotton bollworm
Latin:Helicoverpa armigeraClass: Insects - Insecta
Squad: Lepidoptera - Lepidoptera
Family: Owls - Noctuidae
 | Habitats: | all over the world |
 | Dangerous for: | corn, sunflower, alfalfa, nightshade |
 | Means of destruction: | folk, chemical and biological preparations |
Habitat
The cotton scoop is suitable for subtropical and tropical climates. However, recently the insect has been actively populating various regions of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
Life cycle
The flight of butterflies falls in mid-May. The temperature must be at least 18 degrees Celsius. Favorable conditions favor flying until the beginning of November.
The life cycle period varies between 20 - 40 days. Egg laying occurs on weeds and cultivated plants. The females are very fertile. Over the entire life cycle, they are able to lay about 1000 eggs. In rare cases, the number was 3000.
Embryos develop from 2 to 4 days. The eggs of the third generation are formed in about 12 days. Larvae have 6 stages of development. Development stages take a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Wintering of the pest falls on the period of pupation. The pupa is in the ground (depth 4 - 10 cm).
Economic importance
Cotton owl butterfly.
The caterpillar feeds on corn, alfalfa, sunflower, soybeans, chickpeas, tobacco, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, nightshade crops. Able to destroy a fifth of the entire crop of corn, a third of a tomato, half of all tobacco.
- Larvae 1 - 3 age eat foliage. After them, eaten veins remain.
- Caterpillars of 4-6 ages consume the reproductive organs of plants, which leads to death.
- The caterpillars burrow into the cobs of corn kernels and eat the seed, which goes through the filling stage.
The most harmful second generation. It has a larger number than the first. The third generation is not allowed to go through all stages of development due to insufficient food supply and unfavorable conditions. Caterpillars of this generation eat wild weeds.
The consequences of pest damage include the appearance of fungal and bacterial infections. The damage becomes more palpable. Corn is commonly affected by blister smut and Fusarium on the cob.
How to destroy the cotton bollworm
In view of the rapid spread of the pest and its particular harmfulness, it is necessary immediately, at the first appearance of the cotton bollworm, to proceed to protection.
Biological and chemical methods
- Biological preparations based on natural highly active chemical compounds synthesized by a living organism, are very effective. It is appropriate to use Biostop, Lepidocide, Prokleim, Helikovex, Fitoverm.
- К natural enemies include predatory bugs Macrolophus Caliginosus and Orius Levigatus, common lacewing, trichogramma, rider Hyposoter didymator. Pheromone traps are also used.
- With significant reproduction, apply chemical substances. The initial phase is the best period for insecticide treatment. Adult caterpillars develop resistance to substances. The most effective are "Aktara", "Karate Zeon".
Folk ways
Very quickly, you can eliminate the pest with the help of herbal infusions. Chamomile, yarrow, burdock are suitable for this. The green mass is crushed and half of the bucket is filled. Warm water is poured and insisted for several days. Next, you need to strain and add grated laundry soap (from 50 to 100 g). After that, the plants are sprayed.
Read and Apply 6 proven ways to deal with the armyworm!
preventive measures
The ovipositor phase may coincide with the period of larval emergence. Several generations overlap. For this reason, the fight against insects is difficult.
To prevent caterpillars:
- observe crop rotation - it is best to do late or medium-early sowing;
- destroy weeds and plant debris;
- autumn deep plowing is carried out in autumn;
- cultivate vegetable and tilled crops between rows;
- grow varieties and hybrids that are resistant to diseases and insects.
Conclusion
To preserve the crop, crops from the cotton scoop are carefully processed. Only chemicals can cope with a huge population. With a small amount, it is appropriate to collect caterpillars by hand and use folk remedies.
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