Comparative Biology of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Different Hosts under Laboratory Conditions in Pakistan

Abstract

One of the most economically significant insect pests in world agriculture is the armyworm, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). In 2019, S. litura was reared in a lab environment to study its biological parameters on different hosts. The sixth larval instar was recorded in this study. The period of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th larval instar on cotton was 3.55±0.10, 3.59±0.09, 3.99±0.10, 4.56±0.09, 6.65±0.15, and 5.59±0.17 days, respectively. Maximum adult emergence was recorded on cabbage followed by cotton and maize. The larval length and weight were found higher on cabbage followed by cotton and maize. The pupal development was less concerning days on maize than other tested hosts. The highest mean fecundity was 2954.16 eggs per female on cabbage leaves while minimum with 987.19 eggs per female on maize leaves. The sex ratio of female to male was recorded as 1:0.7, 1:0.6, and 1:0.5, on cabbage, cotton and maize, respectively. Female was long lived than male as recorded on all tested hosts. Among all tested hosts, cabbage was recorded as the most preferable and suitable host for pest. The current study findings will provide suitable information about hosts of S. litura but suggest further studies.