The study determined the chemical components of cotton and alternative host plants that influence acceptance or rejection of such plants by adults and larvae of Helicoverpa spp.

The objective of this study was to determine what if any biological activity occurred in H. armigera adults and larvae when exposed to extracts from a leguminous plant from Africa, herein referred to as Plant Y.

Cotton production worldwide uses 11 per cent of global insecticides each year and the trend continues to increase (Pesticide News, 2001).

The Australian cotton growers for the past 5 years have come to realise the important role beneficial insects play in managing pests in their cotton farms.