First Record of Barnyard Millet as a Host for Fall Army Worm <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (J E Smith)

Abstract

Damage potential of maize fall army worm (FAW), varies from 9.0 % to 62.5 % on different seasons and in different regions of India. FAW threatens food and nutritional security of millions of farmers in India. Here is the first record of FAW in a new host barnyard millet and a study on its biology. The infestation began from seedling stage and extended till reproductive stage. During seedling stage, the larva caused scrapping of leaf and cut the central shoot, resulted in drying of central shoot, which resembled dead heart symptom. In vegetative stage, it caused scrapping and defoliation of leaves and also caused whorl damage. There were no parallel hole symptoms observed as like maize. The egg duration was 2.8± 0.83 days. Larva usually had six instars with life period of 3.2± 0.83 Days, 3.0± 0.70 Days, 2.4± 0.54 Days, 2.6± 0.54 Days, 3.4± 0.89 Days and 6.0± 0.70 Days for I to VI instars respectively. The total larval duration ranged from 17 to 23 days with a mean of 20.6± 2.07 days. Pupal and adult duration were 8.8± 1.30 and 10.2± 2.04 Days respectively. The total life cycle in barnyard millet under laboratory condition was 42.2± 4.26 days.