Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) rearing on artificial feed with Chrysoperla carnea predation (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract

S. litura was reared on artificial meals in a controlled laboratory setting at 26.1°C, 16:8 h L:D, and 65.5% RH at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) in Islamabad, Pakistan, to evaluate its premature, mature adult stage characteristics and predation by C. cornea. On the artificial diet, the results for various parameters, including total larval duration (19.1 days, 45 percent), pre-pupal period (3.4 days, 92 percent), pupal period (7.05 days, 83 percent), and total immature duration from eggs to adult stage (33.4 days, 33 percent), as well as percent survival rate, were recorded. On a corn-based artificial diet, data on the pre-oviposition period (2.4 days), oviposition period (5.4 days), post-oviposition period (1.63 days), female fecundity (1366 eggs), and adult longevity (8.66 days) of mature stages of S. litura were collected. When supplied as prey, the predator's biological parameters and predatory capacity, C. carnea, were tested on two stages of S. litura (eggs and 1st instar larvae). The studies indicated that the prey significantly affected the total larval duration, immature duration, and % survival rate. The entire larval period was greatly minimized when C. carnea was offered eggs of S. litura for feeding. Additionally, higher % survival and fecundity were observed feeding with S. litura eggs, followed by 1st instar larvae. C. carnea consumed 443 S. litura eggs and 395 S. litura larvae during its larval development. Daily consumption of C. carnea larvae reached a maximum of 73 eggs and 53 1st instar larvae of S. litura. Comparatively, C. carnea larvae recorded maximum egg predation compared to 1st instar larvae of S. litura and the shorter developmental period when eggs were offered as prey. Moreover, 3rd instar larvae of C. carnea were found more voracious than early instars.