Weight Gain of Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Leaf and Floral Tissues of Silphium integrifolium (Asterales: Asteraceae) Differs by Plant Genotype

Abstract

Silflower (Silphium integrifolium (Michaux)) is a native North American relative of sunflower that is undergoing domestication as a perennial oilseed crop. As silflower incurs pest damage from multiple insect species, it is necessary to screen genotypes for their effect on insect performance such that more pest tolerant/resistant accessions can be incorporated into future silflower breeding programs. We present a bioassay protocol for silflower using the generalist herbivore fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)). In this study, fall armyworm larvae were placed on leaf and flower tissue from eleven silflower genotypes, one cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum (L.) (Asterales: Asteraceae)) genotype, and an inbred sunflower line (Helianthus annuus (L.) (Asterales: Asteraceae), HA89). Caterpillar weight gained during a 4-d feeding period significantly differed on leaf and floral tissue from different silflower genotypes, between the Silphium species (silflower and cup plant), and between Silphium genotypes and annual sunflower. Two wild silflower genotypes produced lower larval weight gain on both the floral and leaf tissue than all other genotypes, suggesting these genotypes have either lower nutrition or greater resistance to fall armyworm. However, nonsignificant correlations between larval growth on floral versus leaf tissue across all plant species tested and among all silflower accessions suggest insect performances on these tissue types in silflower are independent. Along with identifying germplasm of interest for silflower breeding programs, we established an easily replicable bioassay protocol using fall armyworm on silflower floral and leaf tissues.

Periodical crossing of the laboratory population with the natural population would improve fitness in S. sunia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…The research set out to study the biological and reproductive characteristics of S. sunia ( Malais and Ravensberg, 1992 ), known as ( Guen ) = ( Xylomige ssunia ) called cutworm, tiger worm, leathery worm. The characterized variables were length and weight of larvae, hatching percentage, weight and sex of pupae ( Parra et al, 2022 ; Peterson et al, 2022 ; Barcellos, 2022 ; Machado et al ., 2020 ).…”

Periodical crossing of the laboratory population with the natural population would improve fitness in S. sunia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…The research set out to study the biological and reproductive characteristics of S. sunia (Malais and Ravensberg, 1992), known as (Guen) = (Xylomige ssunia) called cutworm, tiger worm, leathery worm. The characterized variables were length and weight of larvae, hatching percentage, weight and sex of pupae (Parra et al, 2022;Peterson et al, 2022;Barcellos, 2022;Machado et al, 2020).…”

Delivery of Methoprene-Tolerant dsRNA to Improve RNAi Efficiency by Modified Liposomes for Pest Control

“…Globalization and international trade have led to many species being spread beyond their native geographical habitats, and these exotic species pose huge potential risks to local crop production and agricultural food security. , As one of the most important noctuid pests, Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW) feed on numerous crops (maize, rice, wheat, etc.) which can lead to serious global economic losses. − FAW can spread rapidly, are highly fecund, and are often found with many different-aged larvae feeding in the same geographical area, making conventional chemical control difficult. , At the same time, the impact of chemical insecticides on the environment and nontarget organisms also severely limits the application of these pesticides . In recent years, some control measures using biological natural predators have been established, but it has sometimes proven difficult to achieve the desired control effect .…”