Some Biological Characteristics and Life Table of Heliothis peltigera (Denis Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Safflower

Abstract

Biology and life table of Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important safflower pest, studied on two safflower varieties (Balcı and Dinçer) in the laboratory (25 ± 1 °C temperature, 65 ± 5% relative humidity and 16: 8 photoperiod). The longer pre-adult time of H. peltigera was found on Dinçer variety than Balcı variety, as 33.97±0.16 days, and 32.82±0.23 days, respectively. While the higher intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.134±4.59 d-1), and the finite rate of increase (λ) (1.144±0.005 d-1) were estimated on Balcı variety, also shortest mean generation times were found on Balcı variety (37.49±0.34 days) than Dinçer variety (0.119±5.123 d-1, 1.126±0.005 d-1, and 39.25±0.40 days, respectively). According to these results, it was determined that Balcı variety was more suitable host plants than Dinçer variety for H. peltigera. These basic informations obtained in this study on H. peltigera will be useful for pest control and prefer to produce Dinçer variety that could be reducing of H. peltigera.