Biology of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on different artificial diets

Abstract

The biology of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) was studied during June – August 2019 under laboratory conditions at the Department of Entomology, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur. The biology was studied on five different artificial diets i.e. D1 (Cowpea + Yeast + Sorbic acid + Ascorbic acid + Methyl-p-hydroxy benzoate + Agar + Multivitamin solution + Formaldehyde + Distilled water), D2 (Chickpea + Yeast + Sorbic acid + Ascorbic acid + Methyl-p-hydroxy benzoate + Agar + Multivitamin solution + Formaldehyde + Distilled water), D3 (Black gram + Yeast + Sorbic acid + Ascorbic acid + Methyl-p-hydroxy benzoate + Agar + Multivitamin solution + Formaldehyde + Distilled water), D4 (Green gram + Yeast + Sorbic acid + Ascorbic acid + Methyl-p-hydroxy benzoate + Agar + Multivitamin solution + Formaldehyde + Distilled water) and D5 (Soybean + Yeast + Sorbic acid + Ascorbic acid + Methyl-p-hydroxy benzoate + Agar + Multivitamin solution + Formaldehyde + Distilled water). The minimum larval (I instar to VI instar) and pupal period were recorded on D5 followed by D2 and D1, whereas the maximum larval period (I instar to VI instar) and pupal period were recorded on black gram and green gram i.e. D3 & D4, these both were found significantly at par with each other. The maximum adult (male and female) longevity and fecundity were recorded on soybean (D5) followed by chickpea and cowpea (D2 & D1), whereas minimum adult (male and female) longevity and fecundity were recorded on black gram and green gram i.e. D3 & D4.