Queensland distributions and host records for Heliothis species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Distributions and hosts of the four Heliothis species in Queensland are given.
H. armigera (Hubn.), H. assulta Gn., H. punctigera Wallengr. and H. rubrescens (Walk.) occur along the east coast and up to 100 miles inland wherever suitable host plants are available. In inland areas, only H. punctigera occurs regularly.
All species occur mainly in the September-April period. Larvae prefer the reproductive parts of their hosts as food.
H. armigera is recorded from 23 hosts, H. punctigera from 15, H. assulta from 3 and H. rubrescens from 1. H. armigera and H. punctigera have similar host ranges, and although mixed populations often occur the presence of two species has not affected control.
H. assulta is im110rtant as a pest of cape gooseberries only, and in the absence of suitable control measures is a limiting factor in production of this crop during the warmer months.