Study of Life Tables of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda on Maize Under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

The Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the most devastating pests with a worldwide distribution. It attacks a wide range of plants, and maize, Zea mays L. is its preferred host. This study was carried out during 2023 to estimate the biological parameters of S. frugiperda under laboratory conditions. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions of 28±2˚C temperature, RH 75±10% relative humidity and 14:10 hours (light:dark) photoperiod. Biological parameters were analyzed according to the theory of age-stage two-sex life table by using the computer program TWO-SEX MSchart. The results obtained indicated that the value of total larval period was 11.7±0.1 days, with a pupal period of 5.74±0.08 days and adult longevity of 9±0.85 days (females) and 8.53±0.64 days (males). The value of intrinsic rate of increase (r) was 0.1525 females/female/day; the final increase rate (λ) was 1.1648 day; net reproductive rate (Ro) was 85.23 females/female/generation; gross production rate (GRR) was 666.84; generation time (T) was 29.136 days; doubling time (DT) was 4.543 days. Information generated by this study is useful to understand insect population dynamics for use in developing site-specific integrated management strategy for fall armyworm.

Keywords:

Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, Life tables, biological parameters, Latakia, Syria.