Journal of Environmental Biology

Influence of varying temperatures on the growth parameters of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Noctuidae; Lepidoptera)

T. Tata¹, P.S. Shanmugam¹*, T. Srinivasan¹, Ga. Dheebakaran², G.P. Santosh³, V. Baskaran¹, M. Saranya¹ and K. Haripriya⁴      

¹Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

²Agricultural Meteorology Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

³Department of Physical Science & Information Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

⁴Vanavarayar College of Agriculture, Pollachi-642 103, India

Received: 01 May 2024                   Revised: 26 June 2024                   Accepted: 04 October 2024

*Corresponding Author Email : shanmugam.ps@tnau.ac.in                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9263-2133

Abstract

Aim: The research was undertaken to study the influence of varying temperature regimes on the growth parameters of invasive maize fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda under controlled conditions.

Methodology: The life history and fitness parameters of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, were studied under laboratory conditions at different temperature regimes (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35˚C). The laboratory reared homogenous population was exposed to different temperature regimes and growth parameters were recorded at definite intervals.

Results: The results revealed that developmental time was longer at lower temperatures (20^oC) and shortened with increasing temperatures. The larval period was 22.98 days at 20 ^oC and 12.97 days at 35 ^oC. The maximum net reproductive rate (R0) was observed at 30 ^oC (324.61) and the minimum at 20 ^oC (231.00). The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) was positively correlated with temperature, and the maximum rm was 0.238 individuals per female per day at 35 ^oC. The highest gross reproductive rate was recorded at 30 ^oC. The doubling time was 3.52, 3.29 and 2.91 days at 25 ^oC, 30 ^oC, and 35 ^oC, respectively.

Interpretation: These results suggest reduced fitness of Spodoptera frugiperda in the future scenario of global climate change with increasing temperatures.

Key words: Fall armyworm, Reproductive rate, Spodoptera frugiperda 

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