No abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an invasive pest that ravaging crops in many provinces of China. In order to specifically control this invasive pest, understanding of the relationship between the insect and the host is necessary. In this study, we have compared the biological and nutritional indexes of S. frugiperda by feeding it with five different host-plants (Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, Digitaria sanguinalis, Glycine max and Eleusine indica). The biological and nutritional indexes of Z. mays feeding S. frugiperda were the best. However, the pupa weight and fecundity of S. frugiperda fed with G. max and E. indica were significantly lower than those fed with other hosts, efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) were also lower than others. The total phenol content was negatively correlated with the biological and nutritional indexes of S. frugiperda, while the C/N content was positively correlated. When fed on different host plants, the biological and nutritional indexes of S. frugiperda were different, but all of them could complete the life cycle. Therefore, in the absence of Z. mays, the S. frugiperda may also harm other host plants, and host plants with high C/N content can also with the risk of being infected.