Populational parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lep.: Noctuidae) fed on corn and two predominant grasses in Tucumán (Argentina). A laboratory study.

MURÚA, M. G. ; VIRLA E.

ACTA ZOOLOGICA MEXICANA

Año: 2004 vol. 20 p. 199 - 210

0065-1737

A comparative laboratory study on populational parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lep.: Noctuidae) fed on corn (Zea mays L.) and two predominant grasses in Tucuman (Argentina) (Guineagrass [Panicum maximum Jacq.] and Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]) was carried out. The diets used determined changes in diverse parameters such as duration of life cycle, number of larval instars, sex ratio, life expectancy, fertility and/or fecundity. Regarding the life cycle duration, significant differences among host plants were recorded for the different developmental stages. While females breeding on a corn diet showed a fertility of 92.1%, those breeding on a diet based on Guineagrass 96.4 % and 99.8% on Bermudagrass. Mean daily egg production  ranged within 99.4 (breeding on Bermudagrass) and 187.8 (those fed on Guineagrass). Mean total egg production also varied according to larval diet; the maximum value was recorded for females fed on Guineagrass leaves (x: 1282.7 ± 38.6 eggs/females). The results suggest that individuals bred on this grasses during final winter could play an important role in FAW population dynamic performance affecting corn crops in Argentina’s Northernmost Region.