Differentiation between Tobacco Budworm (Heliothis virescens) and Bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) Eggs at the Organismal Level: New Perspectives

Currently, differentiation between eggs of H. zea and H. virescens rely primarily on morphological differences in the micropyle region of the egg. There has also been research using specific monoclonal antibody specific binding to proteins in the eggs of each species. Our research group is examining alternative approaches using modern visible light imaging, fluorescence, time-of-flight mass spectroscopy, and scanning spectrophotometry to provide new leads for species diagnosis.