Insects other than helicoverpa are rarely a problem in chickpeas. Chickpeas secrete an organic acid (malic acid) from hairs on their leaves, stems and pods that makes the crop unattractive to insects. Seedling pests, such as mites and cutworm, can attack chickpeas, but are seldom an economic problem.

Insect pest risk

High risk Moderate risk Low risk
Helicoverpa
  • Large, sustained influxes of helicoverpa in spring.
  • Infestation by virus-vectoring aphids in early seedling stages.
  • Avoid cultivar and planting time combinations that are more likely to lengthen duration of flowering and grain fill.
  • Broadleaf weeds hosting cutworm and helicoverpa that then move into the crop as large, damaging larvae.
 Weed free paddocks.
Minor pests If paddock comes out of pasture (higher risk of soil insects) Retained cereal stubble helps to reduce aphid colonisation in wide row crops

Pest incidence

Pest Crop stage

Emergence/Seedling

Vegetative

Flowering

Podding

Grainfill
False wireworm Damaging Present
Cutworm Damaging Present
Blue oat mite Damaging Present
Thrips Present Present Present
Aphids Present Damaging Damaging Present
Helicoverpa Present Present Damaging Damaging

 

Present Present in crop but generally not damaging
Damaging Crop susceptible to damage and loss.

Chickpea seedlings are most vulnerable to damage:

  • before they develop 3-4 ‘true’ leaves
  • during periods of moisture stress (too wet, too dry)
  • when other factors such as low soil temperature or soil compaction limit plant growth.

Two species of helicoverpa attack chickpeas. Species composition is influenced by the time of year. In temperate regions (southern Queensland) the majority of the H. armigera population over-winter from mid-March onwards and emerge during September/October. H. punctigera is usually the dominant species through September, but seasonal variation can lead to H. armigera dominant early infestations in some years, particularly in northern districts. In Central Queensland, winter infestations in chickpeas are predominantly H. armigera.

The Helicoverpa Diapause Induction and Emergence Tool uses day length and temperature data to predict the level of diapause induction and the emergence of moths from overwintering pupae.

Key IPM strategies for Helicoverpa

  • Tolerate low-moderate early damage. Chickpeas can compensate by setting new buds and pods to replace those damaged by pests, however excessive early damage can delay harvest.
  • Use biopesticides in vegetative chickpeas prior to flowering to preserve beneficials:
    • Bacil­lus thuringien­sis (Bt) is effective against loopers (under 12 mm long).
    • NPV is effective against helicoverpa larvae (less than 7 mm long).
  • Control of helicoverpa at flowering does not result in a significant increase in yield or quality compared to delaying control until pod-set (expanded pods).
  • Aim for one well-timed spray.
  • Chickpea can tolerate moderate to high numbers of helicoverpa larvae (10-20 larvae/m2) through late vegetative and early flowering stages. Loss of yield and quality only occurs from pod set to maturity so this is the most critical stage for crop protection.
  • Use the Beatsheet blog calculator to identify potential yield loss and provide an appropriate suggestion for action.

Factors that influence the decision, timing and product choice

  • Age structure of the larval population in relation to time to desiccation or harvest.
  • Proportion of H. armigera and H. punctigera.
  • Spray conditions and drift risk.
  • Insecticide options, resistance levels for Helicoverpa and recent spray results in local area.
  • Residual of the products.

Insecticide resistance

Where both native budworm and corn earworm occur (north of Dubbo) be aware that insecticide resistance in corn earworm can affect the efficacy of synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates in mixed populations.

  • Avoid prolonged use and over-reliance on any one chemical group for helicoverpa control.
  • Avoid use of pyrethroids on H. armigera populations wherever possible.

Further information

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