Comparative evaluation of temperate, subtropical, and tropical isolates of nucleopolyhedrovirus against tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Background The tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a serious insect pest owing to its polyphagous nature, migrating long distances, greater capacity develop resistance against insecticides and persistence in cropping areas. comparative evaluation of temperate, sub-tropical tropical H. NPV (HearNPV) isolates was carried out determine the potential local exotic HearNPV for management Kashmir, India, having temperate climate. Results Mortality 2nd instar larvae with three different at concentrations ranged between 13.40 73.25%, significant differences each isolate under laboratory conditions. median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) values HearNPV-IND-K, HearNPV-IND-J, HearNPV-IND-B were 4.62 × 10 3 , 5.99 4 7.24 OBs/larva 10th day post inoculation, among isolates. In time response bioassays, cumulative mortality (%) caused by HearNPV-IND-J over period days 50.33, 49.00 49.00%, respectively. Their survival (ST 8.10, 8.94 9.50 days, respectively, results revealed that LC ST HearNPV-IND K significantly lower than 22.00–68.32, 20.54–55.17, 11.66–44.33%, on crop field highest rate 68.32% observed (HearNPV-IND-K). Conclusions It’s concluded had development species-specific environmentally safe biocontrol agent organic farming incorporation into Integrated Pest Management program may reduce use chemical Kashmir.