Abstract: Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a nocturnal pest capable of long-distance migration. To explore whether the H. armigera in Xinjiang has migratory activity, the ovarian development and mating frequency of the H. armigera were monitored in the Shihezi reclamation area of northern Xinjiang (Regiment 146 and Regiment 147), Wusu, Akesu region of southern Xinjiang (Akesu City, Awati County, and Regiment 12), and Maigaiti. The results showed that mating occurred when the moth ovaries developed to the first grade, and the mating frequency was significantly positively correlated with the development grade of moth ovaries. The individuals of the third generation H. armigera in Regiment 146, Regiment 147, Wusu, and Akesu and those of the third and forth generations H. armigera in Awati, whose ovarian development was at the third grade or above, occupied 65% or more, indicating that the cotton bollworm populations were immigrated from other places. In the peak mating period, the average mating rate and mating frequency of adult females were 81.63% and 1.96, respectively. At all of the monitoring sites, the mating rate and male/female ratio of the adult females were in correspondence with the physiological characteristics of immigrant populations, indicating that cotton bollworm immigration had occurred at all experimental sites in Xinjiang. These observations on the migration and mating of H. armigera in Xinjiang could provide basic information for the control of this pest in this region.

Key words: planting system, emergy analysis, watershed,  , Loess Plateau.