The biological response of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae in several different types of host plants

Abstract

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda becomes a significant pest of maize. The presence of these pests can be a threat because these pests have a high cruising range, high reproduction speed, and strong destructive power. Aimed of this research is to decisive the biological responses of larvae in several host plants. The method used was using four different types of host plants: maize P36 variety, spinach Retina variety, Mustard greens Tosakan variety, and green beans Vima 1 variety. The results obtained were the average attack intensity of S. frugiperda with the Choice Test showed that the highest attack intensity was 87.5% on Mustard greens Tosakan variety, not significantly different from the intensity of attack on maize varieties P36, which was 56.2%. The mortality percentage of S. frugiperda larvae in all treatments had no significant effect with the highest mortality in spinach plants (37.25%) and the lowest mortality in maize plants (18.75%). The average length of development of S. frugiperda larvae from instars 2 to 6 on various feed alternatives ranged from 1.7 days to a maximum of 3.3 days. The average percentage of the development from Larvae into Pupae showed the highest percentage on maize was 81.25% and the lowest percentage was spinach (50%). The average percentage of the development from pupae into adult showed the highest on maize plants (68.75%). Fall armyworm can also attack other hosts such as Mustard greens, spinach, and green beans. It is necessary to increase vigilance against this pest because this pest has many alternative hosts.