Development of The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) on Three Host Plants نمو وتطور دودة الحشد الخريفية علي ثلاثة عوائل نباتية

The present laboratory study is first attempt in Egypt which focused on studying the development of recent invasive insect pest “fall armyworm” Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on three host plants, Castor oil, Corn and Lettuce. Study was conducted at Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena Governorate, Egypt. The fall armyworm, S. frugiperda is an economically important polyphagous. The pest has recently invaded Egypt causing unexpected damage to maize and other crops. The life history of S. frugiperda on three different host food resources, castor leaves, corn and lettuce was studied under laboratory conditions. Larval mortality percentage, larval duration, pupation percentage, pupal weight, pupal duration, pupal mortality percentage, adult emergence, sex ratio, male and female longevity, fecundity (No. of egg laying/female) and fertility % (egg hatchability) were evaluated. Obtained results showed that, average larval duration was 23.36, 23.58 and 22.8 days for castor leaves, corn and lettuce, respectively. The pupal duration was 10.52, 10.75 and 10.89 days respectively at the same three hosts. There were non-significant different between all pupal duration values. Fecundity (eggs laid by the females) was 2299.0, 1839.5 and 2116.0 egg/female at the same three hosts, respectively. Also results indicated that, post ovipostion periods were 2.4, 1.0 and 2.19 days, for castor leaves, maize and lettuce respectively. There were no preferences for any of tested plants which may be related to antixenosis/antibiosis. The fall armyworm S. frugiperda can easily reared in laboratory using uneconomic plants castor oil leaves.