Effect of temperature on the reproductive ability of Fall Armyworm - Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) under laboratory condition

Abstract

Fall Armyworm is a sporadic pest with a diverse host range and also an economically crucial polyphagous insect which is native to tropical and sub-tropical region of America with national importance causing economic damage to many of the agricultural crops (Hardke et al., 2015) [6]. It has high dispersal ability, wide host range, high fecundity, holometabolous and capable of producing an estimated 12 generations per year in tropical climates (Busato et al., 2005) [4] that makes the Fall Armyworm a notorious pest and one of the most severe economic pests (Chormule et. al., 2018). The purpose of this study is to examine the reproduction rate of S. frugiperda in laboratory over a different controlled temperature range of 18±2oC, 22±2oC, 26±2oC, 30±2oC, 32±2oC. Further, to derive oviposition, longevity and fecundity table at different temperature range which will predict the exact temperature that stimulates the reproduction of S. frugiperda. The purpose of this study is to contribute the control strategy of Fall Armyworm as their quality of dependence on temperature for the reproduction under laboratory condition.