Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner, 1808)

Helicoverpa armigera View in CoL

The eggs of this species are laid individually.They are hemispherical, with a flattened base and initially light yellow. They measure between 500 µm and 540 µm in diameter ( Fig. 8A View Figure 8 ). Micropylar area is convex, depressed at the center, surrounded by a rosette of 11 to 14 primary cells ( Figs.8B and 8C View Figure 8 ), narrower basally, distally elongated with margins broadly rounded appearance ( Figs. 8A and 8B View Figure 8 ). The average number of micropyles is four (2–4). On the space between the micropylar area and the primary ribs, there are no chorion sculptures ( Fig. 1A View Figure 1 ). At the top of the egg, the primary ribs are quite pronounced and elevated, reducing in height below the equatorial region where they are no longer visible ( Figs.8E and 8F View Figure 8 ). The primary and secondary ribs are somewhat blunt, particularly the transverse cross-ribs that along with the ribs, form a reticulate pattern of cells.

We found 23 to 27 ribs, being 11- 13 primary ribs, and 11 -14 secondary ribs ( Figs. 8C and 8D View Figure 8 ). The eggs have one or two aeropyles (0.7µm – 1.4µm) located on the ribs, arranged infra-equatorially ( Figs. 8E and 8F View Figure 8 ) in the transition zone between the keel region and the base of the egg, which has larger surface irregularities ( Figs. 8D and 8F View Figure 8 ). The surface of the egg between the ribs has a fine rugosity, resembling fabric, which is observed more clearly at a magnification of 12,000x ( Fig. 8G View Figure 8 ).