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Oriental tobacco budworm

Oriental tobacco budworm

Helicoverpa assulta

A species of Helicoverpa, Also known as Cape gooseberry budworm

Adorned with a wingspan that varies from shades of brown to rusty orange, oriental tobacco budworm exhibits a striking pattern of olive and cream spots and lines on its forewings, designed for camouflage among foliage. At the larval stage, its diet primarily consists of solanaceous plants, but as an adult, it adapts to sipping nectar, showcasing a fascinating dietary shift through its life cycle.

General Info About Oriental tobacco budworm
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Attributes of Oriental tobacco budworm
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Oriental tobacco budworm is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
The Oriental tobacco budworm can bore into the wood and may damage its structure, or even harm the health of trees. Stay alert if you frequently observe it in your house.
Pollinator
The Oriental tobacco budworm is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Oriental tobacco budworm feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
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Species Status of Oriental tobacco budworm
It is distributed across three continents: Asia, Africa and Australia. In Asia, populations of the budworm are specifically found in China, Korea, Thailand, and Japan.
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Distribution Area of Oriental tobacco budworm
Asia, Africa, Australia
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Life Cycle of Oriental tobacco budworm
Egg The embryonic oriental tobacco budworm begins life encased within an egg, affixed to a surface by its mother. The egg is small, round, and typically adapts a coloration that camouflages with the environment.
Larva After emerging from the egg, the larva of oriental tobacco budworm is worm-like in shape, with a primary focus on consuming food to fuel growth. It will molt several times, increasing in size with each stage.
Pupal The oriental tobacco budworm enters a quiescent phase within a cocoon or chrysalis, transforming drastically. This is a period of reorganization where tissues and organs develop into their adult structures.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult oriental tobacco budworm’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Adult Size of Oriental tobacco budworm
2.5 cm
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Predators of Oriental tobacco budworm Larvae
Birds, rodents, parasitic wasps, predatory beetles, ants, spiders
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Predators of Adult Oriental tobacco budworm
Bats, birds, spiders, mantises, ants
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Scientific Classification of Oriental tobacco budworm
Tips for Finding Oriental tobacco budworm
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Youth Habitat of Oriental tobacco budworm
Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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Adult Habitat of Oriental tobacco budworm
Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands
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How Can You Attract Oriental tobacco budworm
Since adult oriental tobacco budworm are nocturnal and attracted to light and sweet substances, light traps or baits with sweet attractants can be used as effective ways to trap them.
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Habitat Preferences of Oriental tobacco budworm Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of oriental tobacco budworm are mostly found on the underside of host plant leaves, primarily those of tobacco and other solanaceous crops. Once they hatch, the larvae, or caterpillars, are typically found on or near the plants they are feeding on, including tomato, cotton, and corn, where they voraciously consume foliage and sometimes burrow into fruit. As they progress to pupation, they move into the soil, so searching for them requires careful inspection of the upper soil layers or just beneath the plant litter around the host plants. Adults are nocturnal and rest in sheltered areas during the day; therefore, field searches should be conducted at night with the aid of light traps to attract them.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Oriental tobacco budworm
The suitable time to find oriental tobacco budworm usually depends on the life stage; however, the adult stage is mostly active after dusk, making nighttime the optimal period for observations and trapping.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Oriental tobacco budworm
Calm, warm nights with minimal moonlight are generally best for finding adult oriental tobacco budworm, as they are more active in these conditions. For larval stages, mild and moist weather is preferable as it promotes plant growth and is conducive for their feeding and development.
Are Oriental tobacco budworm harmful?
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Harmful Effects of Oriental tobacco budworm
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Agricultural Pests

The larvae of oriental tobacco budworm feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of host plants like tobacco, tomato, and pepper, causing defoliation and fruit damage. In small numbers, the damage is often minimal, but severe infestations can lead to significant crop loss and reduced yields, impacting food supplies and economies.

More Effects of Oriental tobacco budworm

Beneficial Effects of Oriental tobacco budworm
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Pollinator
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Smell
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Oriental tobacco budworm are important nocturnal pollinators. Attracted by the strong scent of certain flowers, they primarily feed on pollen and thus inadvertently transfer pollen from one bloom to another, facilitating the reproductive process of plants like tobacco and cotton.
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