Attraction of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), to volatiles from wilted leaves of a non-host plant, Pterocarya stenoptera

Behavioral and electroantennogram (EAG) responses of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera were tested using volatiles from wilted leaves of a non-host plant, Chinese wing-nut tree (VWLCT), Pterocarya stenoptera. Virgin females responded to the VWLCT, but mated females and males did not. The virgin females responded to the VWLCT in the late part of the scotophase with a photoperiod of 14L : 10D, which coincided with their calling behavior. Males were strongly attracted to a combination of a virgin female and VWLCT. EAG results showed that adults of both sexes could respond physiologically to VWLCT. There was no significant difference in the EAG responses to VWLCT of virgin females and mated females. EAG response of males to a combination of crude extract of female sex pheromone and VWLCT was stronger than to either alone. We speculate that the purpose of female orientation to VWLCT is to locate sites for pheromone calling and mating.