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The present study is the first attempt in Egypt which focused on determining the development rate of Spodoptera frugiperda at different constant temperatures, the number of degree-days (DD's) required for each stage to complete development, as well as the degree-days required for overall egg-to-adult development. The study was conducted under three constant temperatures (20, 25

The present study may be the first attempt in Egypt which devoted to studying the biological aspects of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). The study was conducted under laboratory conditions (26 ±1°C and 65 % R.H.

The biggest threat to maize production in recent years is the invasion of a new exotic pest fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the damage characteristics, development, and reproductive preferences of this pest when its larvae fed on fodder maize and cobs. In this context, weights (g) of larvae, pupae and adults, pupal period (days), sex ratio (%), longevity (days), oviposition preferences, fecundity (%), egg incubation period (days), and hatchability (%) on fodder and cobs were assessed. Results exhibited that FAW larvae were able to feed and infest both fodder and cobs, causing significant damage particularly on cobs by making them unsuitable for marketing and human consumption. Moreover, larvae and pupae from cobs had the greatest weight and were significantly affected by food items. However, the pupal period was shorter in cobs (7.76 days). Regardless of the type of larval feeding, emergency of females (>62%) was more than that of males. On the contrary, the longevity of adults from larvae fed on fodder (7 days) was shorter than that of cobs. Feeding larvae on fodder or cob didn't influence significantly the reproductive performance of females (pre-oviposition, oviposition, post-oviposition periods, fecundity, and egg hatching rate). However, the larval diet greatly affected the egg hatching which was long in cob. This study could play a significant role in predicting the damage and reproductive performance of FAW in maize fields during their developmental growth, which will further help in developing effective integrated management against this pest.

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