Bionomics of the Principal Natural Enemies Attacking Heliothis armigera in Cotton Fields in Israel

Abstract

Heliothis armigera is an early-season pest of cotton in Israel. A substantial number of its larvae are destroyed by natural enemies, the principal ones of which are the parasites Hyposoter didymator Thbs., Meteorus nr. laevigatus, Bracon hebetor Say, and the predators Chrysopa carnea Stephens and Orius spp. H. didymator populations exist throughout the occurance period of the H. armigera populations to which they are limited as hosts. H. didymator is the most abundant parasite and is a significant limiting factor of H. armigera populations. The other parasite species are of occasional importance. The predators feed on eggs and very young larvae of the host. However, they are dependent for their existence upon numerous other cotton feeding insects such as aphids and thrips.