Damage Symptoms:

• Holes in bolls: Larvae bore into the bolls, creating entry points for secondary infections and damaging the cotton inside. 
• Shedding of squares and bolls: Infested buds and immature bolls may drop prematurely. 
• Wilting of terminal shoots: Young larvae may attack growing shoots, causing wilting and drooping. 
• Premature boll opening: Infested bolls may open prematurely, exposing seeds and lint to damage. 
• Reduced lint development and quality: Feeding activities of larvae can lead to reduced lint and weakened lint quality. 
• Rosette flowers: Infested flower buds may fail to open fully, resulting in a rosette appearance. 
• Discoloured lint and burrowed seeds: Larvae feed on seeds and lint within bolls, causing discoloration and damage. 

Target Crops:

• Cotton:

Bollworms are a primary pest of cotton crops, primarily targeting the bolls and buds, leading to reduced yield quality and quantity. 

• Other crops:

While bollworms are more commonly associated with cotton, some species, like the American bollworm, can also attack other crops, including tomatoes. 

Types of Bollworms:

• Spotted bollworm (Earias vittella): Attacks growing shoots, buds, flowers, and bolls. 
• Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella): Causes bud shedding, rosette flowers, and lint damage. 

Spiny bollworm (Earias insulana): Similar damage to spotted bollworm, with drying and drooping of terminal shoots.