Abstract
BackgroundFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) is a migratory moth that annually migrates northward each spring from sites in southern Florida and southern Texas. This caterpillar pest feeds on and damages row, turf and vegetable crops in the eastern and central U.S. Before migrating in spring, it feeds on cover crops in central and eastern Florida and expands its populations. Our objective was to use multi-year studies to compare fall armyworm populations that develop in cover crop plants.MethodsA series of field experiments and a laboratory feeding study were conducted to compare infestation and feeding and of fall armyworm on different cover crop plants. Field experiments had plots planted with corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum-sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], a standard cover crop in Florida, and two alternative cover crops, sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers spp. unguiculata]. Another trial compared populations in sorghum-sudangrass and in mixtures of sorghum-sudangrass with buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) or pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone). Fall armyworm larvae were fed and allowed to develop on different sunn hemp germplasm in a laboratory trial.ResultsField populations of fall armyworm were highest on corn, followed by sorghum-sudangrass. Sunn hemp and cowpea had larval populations 70–96% less than on sorghum-sudangrass, suggesting replacement of this cover crop with either plant species might help reduce areawide populations of resident or migratory fall armyworm. Larvae collected from cover crop plots had parasitism levels that averaged 30%, with Chelonus insularis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) emerging as the most commonly-collected species. Larval feeding on different sunn hemp germplasm lines resulted in no difference in weight gain.ConclusionsReplacing sorghum-sudangrass with sunn hemp varieties or germplasm should be acceptable as a replacement cover crop for areawide management of fall armyworm.
Highlights
IntroductionSmith), is a native caterpillar pest of row, turf, and crops in the eastern and central U.S (Braman et al 2000; Luttrell and Mink 1999; Nuessly et al 2007; Souza et al 2013)
Cover crop plants Cover crops were planted at three different locations in different years to compare fall armyworm numbers among the plant types
Samples taken 24 August showed that sorghum-sudangrass contained more earwigs than sunn hemp or cowpea plants (16.5 ± 2.1, 2.25 ± 0.75, 0.75 ± 0.48, respectively; F2,6 = 52.1, p = 0.0002)
Summary
Smith), is a native caterpillar pest of row, turf, and crops in the eastern and central U.S (Braman et al 2000; Luttrell and Mink 1999; Nuessly et al 2007; Souza et al 2013) This noctuid is a neotropical insect that annually migrates northward each spring from sites in southern. Smith) is a migratory moth that annually migrates northward each spring from sites in southern Florida and southern Texas This caterpillar pest feeds on and damages row, turf and vegetable crops in the eastern and central U.S Before migrating in spring, it feeds on cover crops in central and eastern Florida and expands its populations. Our objective was to use multi-year studies to compare fall armyworm populations that develop in cover crop plants
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
