Journal of Environmental Biology

Biology and life tables of invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda on sunflower, Helianthus annuus

D.R. Bankar, V.K. Bhamare*, R.S. Mahajan, P.B. Hajare and A.S. More     

Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth), Latur-413 512, India

Received: 11 May 2024                   Revised: 14 June 2024                   Accepted: 03 October 2024

*Corresponding Author Email : drvijaybhamare@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3229-9989

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the biology, growth and development, morphometrics and population life tables of invasive fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on sunflower, Helianthus annuus (L.).

Methodology: The study was conducted in a controlled environment with regulated temperature (27±2°C), humidity (75±5%) and a photoperiod of L12:D12. Sunflower plants were grown as host following recommended agricultural practices, excluding specific plant protection measures. All the observation were taken using standard procedures and protocols.

Results: Female moths laid an average of 691.60 eggs with a hatch ability percentage of 94-98% and an incubation period of 2-3 days. Larval and pupal periods was 13.74 and 7.55 days. The total life cycle was 30.82 days for males and 32.42 days for females. Morphological measurements showed incremental growth in larval head capsule width, length and weight across in stars. Pupal lengths15.92 mm for males and 16.40 mm for females with corresponding weights of 198.31 mg and 210.60 mg. Population parameters revealed a mean length of generation (Tc) of 30.42 days, an intrinsic rate of increase of 0.185 females female^-1 day^-1, a mean generation time (T) of 30.29 days, a finite rate of increase in numbers (λ) of 1.53 females female^-1 day^-1 and a corrected innate capacity for increase in numbers (rm) of 0.186 females female^-1 day^-1.

Interpretation: This study provides valuable insights into the life cycle and basic biology of fall armyworm on sunflower as well as critical information about population dynamics to develop strategies to mitigate its impact on agriculture.

Key words: Biology, Life tables, Spodoptera frugiperda, Sunflower 

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