Biology and Life Table of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on Maize at Laboratory Conditions in Nepal

Abstract

The biology and life table of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) was studied at 27±2 °C temperature and 75±10% relative humidity at a Laboratory in the National Entomology Research Center, Lalitpur, Nepal from June to October, 2021.The main purpose of the study is to determine life cycle and to prepare stage specific life table of the insect on the preferred host maize. The mean incubation, larval and pupal periods were found to be 2.79, 14.04 and 9.49 days, respectively. The adult longevity of male and female moths was recorded at 15.39 days and 16.16 days. Pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods of female moths were 3.27 days, 5.39 days and 6.85 days with the fecundity of 1712 eggs per gravid female. The width of head capsules of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth larval instars was observed to be 0.31 mm, 0.51 mm, 0.81 mm, 1.30 mm and 1.95 mm, respectively. The highest apparent mortality (13.39) and indispensable mortality (10.02) were recorded in the insect’s egg stage. Among larval instars, the maximum apparent mortality (7.1) and indispensable mortality (4.72) were recorded in the first instar.