Symptoms of Heliothis Infestation:

• Feeding Damage: Heliothis larvae consume various parts of the plant, including leaves, buds, flowers, bolls, seeds, and fruit. 
• Bore Holes: On cotton bolls, you may see regular, circular bore holes, indicating larva feeding inside. 
• Larvae Visible: Larvae may be observed feeding on bolls, thrusting their heads inside while leaving the rest of the body outside. 
• Faecal Pellets: Presence of granular faecal pellets outside the bore holes is another sign. 
• Reduced Yield: The feeding damage caused by Heliothis significantly reduces crop yields. 
• Entry Points for Secondary Pests and Diseases: The feeding damage can create entry points for other pests and diseases. 

Target Crops:

Heliothis infests a wide range of economically important crops, including:

• Field Crops: Cotton, chickpea, pigeonpea, maize, peas, cowpea, sunflower, sorghum, groundnut, field beans, and tobacco. 
• Vegetables: Various vegetable species. 
• Fruit Crops: A range of fruit crops. 
• Tree Species: Some tree species. 
• Specific Examples: In India, Heliothis armigera, for instance, is known to infest cotton, pigeonpea, chickpea, sunflower, corn, chili, tomato, and okra.