DNA barcoding compliments morphological identification in tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Among Heliothine group of moths viz., Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), Helicoverpa assulta (Guenee), Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermuller) and Helicoverpa rama (Bhattacharjee and Gupta), Helicoverpa armigera, is the most serious pest infesting many economically important crops. Though, Helicoverpa infesting vegetables viz., tomato, okra, cowpea, amaranthus, cucurbits etc in Kerala, their identity at species level is lacking. Hence, the larvae collected from tomato growing area were reared, preserved and subjected to further studies. Morphological characters viz., setal arrangement on prothoracic segment and genitalia structure of both the male and female adult moths were examined. Further, DNA barcoding was carried out to reveal the identity at molecular level. Both morphological characters and DNA barcoding confirmed the identity of species as Helicoverpa armigera.