Laboratory Rearing of Herbivore Larva of Spodoptera Frugiperda (Order: Lepidoptera) to Assess Yield Loss of Economically Important Crops

Abstract

Lepidopteran larvae are one of the most destructive pests in agricultural ecosystems. To assess the yield loss caused by lepidopteran larvae, Spodoptera frugiperda was reared in the laboratory and daily food consumption, total feed intake, pupal weight and percentage of pupal emergence were calculated. The larvae of S. frugiperda were provided with maize and brinjal as a diet. Per day food consumption was calculated by subtracting remaining food and evaporative loss from total provided food. The entire experiment was conducted at 25°C ± 5°C temperature, 60 ± 5 relative humidity and 16: 8 light and dark period. Larvae of S. frugiperda consumed 16.1 ± 2.50 g of maize and 8.85 ± 1.73g of brinjal. 0.61 ± 0.01g was maximum pupal weight of S. frugiperda on maize while on brinjal pupal weight was 0.32 ±0.03g. Food consumption by each instar was also calculated. The 6th instar stage was most damage causing stage. The rate of adult emergence was highest in maize (89%). Adults of S. frugiperda attained longevity of 14 days on maize and 9 days on brinjal. This life table study could be valuable in assessing the damage caused by the disastrous lepidopteran pest. The results could help to formulate pest management strategies for sustainable crop production.