Effects of Different Wheat Tissues on the Population Parameters of the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Abstract

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is an invasive migratory pest that prefers to feed on crops of the Gramineae family such as maize and wheat. It has been recorded in different locations in China since its invasion in 2019. To assess its effect on different wheat tissues and to provide a risk evaluation for wheat fields, FAW larvae were reared on the wheat seedling (WS), spike (SPK), peduncle (PDC), flag leaf blade (F-b), and blade of the first leaf under flag (F-1b). The population parameters were recorded, and the data were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table method. The results showed that the FAW achieved successful development on all the substrates, although those fed on F-1b grew the slowest, had the smallest pupal weight, and deposited the fewest eggs. The larval survival rates of those fed on WS, SPK, and PDC were more than 80%, while for F-b and F-1b they were 56.58% and 32.03%, respectively. Feeding on leaf blades also resulted in lower fertility, reproductive capacity, life expectancy, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase. These results indicated that feeding on WS, SPK, and PDC were more beneficial for development compared to F-b and F-1b alone. However, leaf blades alone can still support the full FAW lifecycle and thus could play an important role in nutrition, especially when quantities of the preferred host tissues are not sufficient. These results provide guidance for assessing the FAW risk in China.

Cytochrome P450s genes CYP321A9 and CYP9A58 contribute to host plant adaptation in the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda

“…1 While native to the Americas, 2,3 it has recently invaded Africa and Asia (https://www.cabi.org/isc/fallarmyworm), most recently spreading rapidly in China. 4 S. frugiperda has two sympatric strains, the 'corn strain' (C strain), which prefer to feed on maize and other large grasses, and the 'rice strain' (R strain) that preferentially feeds on rice and various pasture grasses, [5][6][7] yet which can all complete their entire life cycle on various plants owning to its high degree of polyphagy and adaptability. Consequently, understanding how insects adapt to their host plants is essential to develop efficient resistance management tools.…”

Maize genotype selection resistance to fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) based on the degree of damaged leaf

“…We assumed that older corn leaves tended to have thicker and stiffer cell walls and thus less favoured by leaf-eating insects. The examination to wheat leaf also conducted by [17] found that wheat in seedling stage was the best food source for FAW growth, development, and reproduction (young leaves). This result in accordance with the results found in the study that the FAW damage started in to attack the leaves after 27 DAP and prefer the new leaves of plant.…”

Reproductive Potential and Population Parameters of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Reared on Tofu Dreg

“…The BSF reared on tofu dregs has a shorter TPOP, higher survival rate but lower fecundity compared with BSF reared on fermented maize straw 14 , vegetable and fruit waste 6 and a mixture of wheat bran with chicken feed 33 . The age of first oviposition by females (APOP and TPOP) has an important effect on reproduction status on population growth 43 .…”