Feeding preference of Helicoverpa armigera larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on vegetative and reproductive organs of soybean plants

Helicoverpa armigera is a pest insect with large dispersal range, high degree of polyphagy in the larval stage, and difficult control. The pest's ability to survive due availability food persist grain production systems present several Brazilian regions allows it infest wide range crops, including soybeans invasive plants during off-season. There general knowledge that larva prefers feed on plant reproductive organs, but unknown if this true for soybeans, crop which adapting following its recent recognition as pest. Basic herbivore feeding behavior necessary support control within integrated management philosophy. purpose study was examine preference H. larvae their first, fourth, sixth instars vegetative organs soybean plants. It concluded larvae, regardless instar, all available they have preferences based current developmental stage.