Ovipositional response of Helicoverpa armigera to different cotton genotypes

The ovipositional response of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) to different cotton varieties and species was studied under caged conditions. Maximum oviposition (51.6 eggs/female) was recorded on LH 900, a variety of Gossypium hirsutum, and minimum oviposition (3.0 eggs/female) on G 27, a variety of G. arboreum. Oviposition, in general, was low (3 to 6.5 eggs/female) on arboreum cottons as compared with hirsutum. Of the number of factors found to affect the oviposition of H. armigera, the trichome length on the upper surface of the leaf, rather than the density, was positively correlated (r = 0.687*). Among different months in the cropping season, oviposition was maximum (552.7) during April. Oviposition was higher on leaves than on other plant parts.