ABSTRACT
The legume pod borer or cotton bollworm [Helicoverpa armigera (Hiibner)] is one of the most important constraint to crop production globally. It is polyphagous and attacks more than 182 plant species, including cotton (Plate 1. 1a), chickpea (Plate 1. 1b), pigeonpea (Plate 1. 1c), peas, cowpea, sunflower, sorghum, groundnut, field beans, tomato (Plate l . ld), tobacco, maize and a range of vegetables, fruit crops and tree species. Helicoverpa armigera is widely distributed in Asia, Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean Europe.
