Biological Evaluation of Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Reared on Various Artificial Diets Compared to the Main Host

Spodoptera frugiperda is a destructive lepidopteran pest that seriously affects many crops. To obtain experimental individuals for use in IPM experiments., it is crucial to improve the rearing technique for S. frugiperda. Fundamental and applied entomology problems are resolved by advances in artificial diet rearing techniques. In this work., we studied the development of Spodoptera frugiperda on different artificial diets compared with the main food source(corn). Three diets were modified: artificial diet composed of beans (D1)., artificial diet based on corn flour (D2)., artificial diet based on wheat bran (D3) and a diet of castor leaves (D4) compared with a diet of green corn as the main host. The biological characteristics that were analyzed were the lifespan and duration of the larvae and pupae., the weight of male and female pupae., the sex ratio., fertility., and the longevity of the adult. Diet 3 showed the longest larval duration period while diet 5 showed the shortest larval duration period. Diet 4 recorded the longest pupal duration., while diet 2 recorded the shortest pupal duration period. No significant difference in the number of hatched eggs between larvae fed on artificial diets and those fed on castor bean leaves as compared with control (green corn).