Abstract: Behavioral changes of the cotton bollworm moth, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), caused by high concentration of sex pheromone were observed. The results showed that the female moths behaved more actively in response to the sex pheromone concentration tested. Their average staying time and copulation duration were shortened and more time was spent on calling. On the contrary, the male moths significantly cut down their calling time and spent more time on staying. There were no significant changes in feeding and oviposition behaviors. When their mating rates were taken into account, there was no significant difference between the treatment and the control. However, mating peak and initial copulation time of the females in the treated group were greatly delayed. It is suggested that copulation quality, rather than mating percentage, was influenced in this insect species under condition of high sex pheromone concentration.

Key words: cotton bollworm, sex pheromone, behavioral response