Virulence of <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> Spores against the Cotton Bollworm <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> (Hubner)

The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) is one of the most dangerous and widespread agricultural pests in Uzbekistan. Various biopesticides based on entomopathogen microorganisms can provide an ecofriendly alternative. Laboratory experiments have been conducted to identify virulence of the spores of the fungus Aspergillus flavus (isolated from naturally infected larvae of the codling moth Cydia pomonella in Bukhara orchards, Uzbekistan) against larvae of H. armigera. Larvae were treated using a feeding method in which mung bean sprouts were sprayed with the A. flavus spore concentration 1x107, 5x106, and 3x106 spores/ ml. Experiment conducted in summer season (2025) in laboratory conditions over 15 days. The highest virulence of spores was recorded at the titer 1x107 by the 7th day after treatment, larval mortality reached 80.8%.