Survival, Development, and Fecundity of Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Various Host Plant Species and Their Implication for Pest Management

Simple Summary Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive pest of corn in several countries, including Indonesia. The pest is highly polyphagous, with limited information available on its biological parameters. This information about its biological parameters, such as survival, life cycle, and fecundity using different host plants, could be critical to developing effective pest management strategies. After testing 14 different host plants, we found that even though S. frugiperda preferred corn as the primary host, several other host plants, e.g., papaya, water spinach, banana, spinach, cucumber, and a weed (coco grass), can act as alternate hosts for S. frugiperda, implying the use of these plants as a hedge or trap plant for the management of this pest using culture technique manipulation. However, other control methods need to be considered for further research to develop sustainable solutions for its management. Spodoptera frugiperda is Indonesia's relatively new invasive polyphagous insect pest. So far, S. frugiperda infestation has only been reported in corn and rice in Indonesia. However, S. frugiperda is known to feed on many commercial crops in other countries. To date, information on the biological parameters of S. frugiperda is limited in Indonesian ecologies. Since host plants are a critical factor for insect life history and have the potential to be used for pest control strategies, it is essential to study the biology and survival of S. frugiperda on different host plants. This research aimed to investigate the survival, development time, and fecundity of S. frugiperda on other host plant species to predict possible infestation rates for use in pest management. The study was conducted by rearing S. frugiperda on 14 common cultivated host plant species in Indonesia. The survival rate, development time, fecundity, and potential attack rate of S. frugiperda on various tested host plants were analyzed in this study. The findings revealed that corn was the primary host for S. frugiperda. The ability of S. frugiperda to survive on papaya, water spinach, banana, spinach, cucumber, and coco grass indicates that these plants are potential alternate hosts for S. frugiperda. Long beans, bok choy, choy sum, and beans might be indicated as a shelter for S. frugiperda. Meanwhile, inappropriate hosts for S. frugiperda include cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower due to their low survival rate on these plants. This research indicates that these plants have the potential to be used as a hedge, trap, or bunker plant in S. frugiperda management strategies. However, to prevent detrimental damage, control methods are needed in an integrated manner, including monitoring pest populations, habitat manipulation, and conservation of natural enemies.

Automated summary

Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive pest in Indonesia that causes significant damage to corn crops. Our study found that besides corn, the pest can also utilize papaya, water spinach, banana, spinach, cucumber, and coco grass as alternate hosts. These plants can be used in the management of the pest, but further research is required to develop sustainable solutions.