Biology of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on maize under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The investigations were carried out on study of biology of Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) on maize under laboratory conditions (650 C and 25 % RH). Mean life span in male and female moth was 36.2 and 38.2 days, respectively. Fecundity varied from 957 to 1289 eggs / female. Mean egg hatching was 96 per cent. Incubation period varied from 3 to 4 days. Larval period ranged from 16-18 days wherein first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth instars were 2.8, 2.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.6 and 4.4 days, respectively. Pupal period varied from 8 to 12 days. Longevity of male and female varied from 11 to 13 and 10 to 11 days, respectively.