Seasonal population dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera and comparative in vivo production of entomopathogenic nematodes using Galleria mellonella as a host

Maqbool Ahmed Mengal, Salma Javed

Abstract


The gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, is a major pest of chickpea, causing significant yield losses. This study evaluated its seasonal incidence and assessed the in vivo mass production potential of selected entomopathogenic nematodes using different hosts and inoculum levels. Field observations conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 revealed that larval activity commenced in Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) 49 and persisted until SMW 12 in both seasons. The pest population exhibited three major peaks, with the highest densities recorded during SMW 9-11. Maximum larval populations reached 2.3 larvae per plant in 2023-24 and 2.4 larvae per plant in 2024-25. Correlation analysis indicated a weak and non-significant association of temperature and relative humidity with pest incidence in 2023-24, whereas a significant positive relationship with temperature (r = 0.691-0.788; P < 0.05) and moderate correlation with relative humidity (r = 0.504; P = 0.046) were observed in 2024-25. In the bioassay studies, Galleria mellonella demonstrated higher variability but proved more suitable for nematode production than H. armigera. Among the tested EPN species, Steinernema pakistanense produced the highest infective juvenile (IJ) yield, followed by S. balochiense and S. abbasi. IJ production increased significantly with inoculum density, and G. mellonella yielded approximately 9-11% more progeny than H. armigera. In conclusion, H. armigera peaks during SMW 9-11, and G. mellonella is the most suitable host for efficient mass production of EPNs, especially S. pakistanense, supporting its use in sustainable pest management.

Keywords


Helicoverpa armigera, Entomopathogenic nematodes, Galleria mellonella, Biological control, Seasonal population dynamics

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33804/pp.010.02.5992

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