Pigeonpea Pod Borer
Common NamePigeonpea Pod Borer
Scientific NameHelicoverpa armigera
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHeliothinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, grey
HabitatAgricultural fields, open cultivated areas, gardens, grasslands
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan (Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Americas)
Host Plantspigeonpea, cotton, chickpea, tomato, corn, sorghum, tobacco
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, multiple generations in temperate zones
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants, hatching into larvae that bore into fruits, pods, and stems. Pupation occurs in the soil, and the species has multiple generations annually.
Identification TipsLook for the mottled brown forewings with a kidney-shaped spot and a dark subterminal line, combined with pale hindwings featuring a broad dark marginal band and a central dark spot. Distinguishing from similar Helicoverpa species often requires examination of genitalia.
Description
This medium-sized moth has mottled brown and tan forewings with indistinct darker markings, including a kidney-shaped spot and wavy lines, providing excellent camouflage. Its hindwings are paler with a prominent dark marginal band.
