Feeding preference and biology of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on rice and barnyardgrass

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae were reared in laboratory on leaves of rice (Oryza sativa) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa sp.) at 25±2 ºC; 70±10% RH and photofase of 14 h. Differences were observed in duration of larval stage (22.0 d in rice and 18.6 d in barnyardgrass), viability of larvae (78% in rice and 83% in barnyardgrass) and pupae (71.4% in rice and 87.8% in barnyardgrass), as well as adult fecundity (773 and 1017 eggs/female obtained from those fed rice and barnyardgrass, respectively). Insects reared on barnyardgrass showed a faster development, higher viability and fecundity than those reared on rice. Barnyardgrass was greatly prefered by S. frugiperda larvae than rice.

Insecta; fall armyworm; host plants; weeds