PEST
 
   NAME
     Budworms
     Helicoverpa species
 
   ORDER
     Lepidoptera
 
   FAMILY
     Noctuidae

Description of the Pest
Mature larvae are caterpillars up to 45 mm long; colour varies from yellowish-green to reddish-brown, most with stripes or darker body markings. Female moths have a wingspan up to 40 mm across, are reddish brown in colour; hindwings are pale at the base and dark along the edges.
Moths of Heliothis are very similar to that Helicoverpa armigera (Corn earworm). 
Helicoverpa have a spot which is kidney shaped in the centre of the forewing, 
The Adults of all species are attracted to lights at night.

The larvae are smooth and vary in colour but have light coloured strips

Life Cycle
This insect has a Holometabolous life cycle, i.e. it has a larval and a pupal stage.
Females lay up to 1000 tiny white eggs, deposited singly, on the young growth of host plants. 
Larvae pupate in the topsoil, after feeding for 2-3 weeks; the emergence of adults is triggered by appropriate moisture & temperature conditions during Spring. Long periods of cold and drought can delay the emergence of the adult moths for up to 5 months.
There are two main periods of infestation early summer and autumn.

Distribution of the Pest
Helicoverpa species (Heliothis species) are found throughout Australia. 

Larvae have prominent prolegs

Period of Activity
Most active in Spring and Summer, after good rainfall and vigorous plant growth.

Damage Caused
Larvae attack chew on new growth, fruit, seed and flower buds. Fruit and flowers are damaged and yield is reduced. Entry holes in fruit enlarge and become more obvious as the caterpillar matures.
Bud worms which feed inside the flower buds can cause the buds to brown and not open.

Damage to a flower bud

Susceptible Plants
Attacks a wide range of fruiting and ornamentals plants, such as gardenias, carnations, roses, calendula, hollyhocks, snapdragons, etc. This is a major pest of commercially grown tomatoes, beans, 
sweet corn, cotton, sorghum and peas.

Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea, Pinus, Pseudolarix and Tsuga species are attacked by the Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana). Symptoms include the new opening buds and needles are eaten by the dark red caterpillar that has a yellow stripe along its side. It is a serious pest to ornamental and forest trees and control is difficult.

Control

Cultural Control
It is difficult to control bud-worms once they enter the fruit or buds so it important to apply clay and pepper sprays or pyrethrum, while the young lava are feeding on the leaves.  Caterpillars may be removed by hand or infested flowers and fruit removed from the plant.

Biological Control
Genetically modified crops have been developed for cotton.
 A virus NPV may be commercially available for cotton growers to control Helicoverpa armigera and H punctigera
Helicoverpa armigera & Helicoverpa punctigera), are parasitised by many different insects, including Chaetophthalmus dorsalis flies from the Tachinidae family.
Egg parasites include Trichogramma & Telenomus wasps
Larval parasites include 	Micrropilitis demolitor, Netelia producta and Trachnid flies
Larval pupa parasites include Heteropelma scaposum and Lissopimpla excelsa
Pupal parasites include Ichneumon promissorius

Chemical Control

Control needs to occur before the larvae enter the fruit or flowers.

Note
It is your responsibility by law to read & follow the directions on the label of any pesticide

Monitoring
Shake plants twice a week on to a stiff white cardboard, once they start flowering.

Other Common Names; includes
Native Budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera) Tomato grub, Cotton bollworm, Corn ear worm, Tobacco budworm

Amendments by B. Sonsie Dip Hort Sc Burnley