BIOMORPHIC PARAMETERS OF FALL ARMYWORM, SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) ON MAIZE UNDER LABORATORY CONDITION

Abstract

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive polyphagous pest that causes heavy damage to several agricultural crops especially maize and rice in the world. This pest attacks on more 353 host plants species, especially belong to poaceae family. The knowledge of developmental duration of FAW (S. frugiperda) is very necessary for predicting increases in field population and determining the appropriate timing and control techniques. For this purpose, the current research was conducted. The mean of incubation period was 3.55 ± 0.49 from 2 to 4 days. The average duration of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth larval instar and pupa was 2.78 ± 0.43, 2.94 ± 0.53, 2.64 ± 0.91, 2.58 ± 0.36, 2.96 ± 1.95, 6.01 ± 0.41, and 8.32 ± 0.37 days, respectively. The average length of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth larval instar was 1.38 ± 0.56, 3.29 ± 0.68, 5.63 ± 0.73, 9.76 ± 0.54, 14.71 ± 1.89, and 30.11 ± 2.88 mm, respectively. The average width of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth larval instar 0.24 ± 0.10, 0.58 ± 0.09, 1.76 ± 0.22, 3.10 ± 0.26, 4.85 ± 0.31, and 5.74 ± 0.30 mm, respectively. Female was long lived as compared to male. The average preoviposition, oviposition and post oviposition period of adult was 1.02 ± 0.61, 3.11 ± 0.69, and 4.51 ± 0.74 days, respectively. The total life period of male and female was 33-45 and 38-50 days, respectively. The knowledge of developmental duration of FAW (S. frugiperda) will be helped in predicting the pest population in field and determining the suitable or best strategy to control this pest.