Life table and population growth of a generalist semilooper, Anomis sabulifera, Guenée 1852 (Lepidoptera: erebidae) on four fabaceous plants

Abstract

Basic information on insect pest population growth is necessary before deciding on any strategy to combat the pest. The generalist semilooper pest, Anomis sabulifera, Guenée 1852 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is one of the major pests affecting economic crops worldwide. The stage-specific life table and population growth of A. sabulifera on four fabaceous crops, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), black gram (Vigna mungo), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea), were observed during their growing season from 2023 to 2025. The influence of phytochemicals on the host preference of the generalist semilooper, A. sabulifera (cowpea > black gram > pigeon pea > peanut), was represented through population growth and developmental patterns. It also provided information about the vulnerability of the developmental stages of A. sabulifera on the selected fabaceous crops. This study suggested the use of trap crops (cowpea> black gram) in a specific pattern with peanut and/or pigeon pea as the main crop for enhanced production, without relying on pesticide-treated monocultures. Multi-trap cropping using the most preferred crops (cowpea > black gram) cultivated as a companion crop in a defined pattern with peanut and or pigeon pea as the main crop will lead to less infestation of A. sabulifera or other such pests in the field than their sole cropping. Such studies will also inform about the susceptibility and/or severity of host cultivars towards A. sabulifera for their judicious management by using a defined trap cropping system with higher production to promote IPM of peanut and pigeon pea or other such crops.