RELATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF CASTOR LEAF AND TWO ARTIFICIAL DIETS IN THE REARING OF FALL ARMYWORM, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Reyad, Azza G.A.; Abbassy, Moustafa A; Marei, Gehan I. Kh.; Rabea, Entsar I.

doi:10.21608/jaesj.2025.408333.1283

RELATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF CASTOR LEAF AND TWO ARTIFICIAL DIETS IN THE REARING OF FALL ARMYWORM, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Document Type : Full research articles

Authors

Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22516, Egypt

10.21608/jaesj.2025.408333.1283

Abstract

The Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, presents a severe threat to global food security and farmer livelihoods. Therefore, improving rearing techniques and gaining essential biological knowledge about this pest are critical for developing successful management strategies. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of two artificial diets (D1 and D2) and one natural diet (D3) on the developmental stages and reproductive behavior of FAW under controlled laboratory conditions. Each diet treatment was replicated three times. Key biological metrics recorded included larval and pupal development durations, pupal weight, longevity of both mated and unmated adult females, and survival rates during larval and pupal stages. Findings showed that D2 diet resulted in the shortest larval development time (14.1 days), followed by D1 and D3 (15.3 days). Additionally, D2 significantly increased pupation rates, adult emergence, female fecundity, and overall adult longevity compared to the other diets. Among the tested options, D2 demonstrated superior performance across all measured biological traits and is therefore recommended for efficient laboratory-based mass rearing of FAW.

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