Growth, consumption and digestive enzyme activities of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) on various mung bean cultivars reveal potential tolerance traits

Abstract

Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) is a worldwide pest of economic importance for agricultural crops. We investigated nutritional efficiency and digestive enzyme activity of S. littoralis on various mung bean cultivars, including Parto, Simite1, Simite2, VC6173A, VC3960, VC6368 and VC6371. Furthermore, various biochemical traits of mung bean cultivars, including protein, starch, total phenolic and flavonoid content, were measured to investigate their relationships with nutritional physiology of S. littoralis. The nutritional indices, as well as proteolytic and amylolytic activities of S. littoralis were significantly affected by feeding of the pest on various mung bean cultivars. Larvae reared on VC6371 exhibited the highest efficiency of conversion of digested food, while the lowest was recorded in those fed on Simite2. Spodoptera littoralis larvae fed on the Simite1 cultivar exhibited the lowest relative growth rate, while those reared on Simite2 were characterized by the lowest efficiency of conversion of ingested food. The highest proteolytic activity of sixth‐instar larvae was on VC6371, while the lowest activity was on VC3960, Simite1 and Simite2 cultivars. Amylolytic activity was the lowest in those larvae fed on VC6368 and VC6371 cultivars, while the highest activity occurred in larvae reared on Simite2. Significant variation in phytochemical contents was quantified among tested mung bean cultivars. Moreover, significant correlations were found between the nutritional indices and digestive enzyme activities of S. littoralis with biochemical properties of the cultivars. Our results suggest that VC6371 is a suitable cultivar for S littoralis, while Simite2 and Simite1 cultivars are less suitable and may be useful selections to minimize damage caused by this pest.

Multigenerational variation in the nutrients and digestion of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) depends on the nutritive quality of different foods

“…The plant nutrients that are absorbed by insects can simultaneously carry plant secondary compounds with adverse effects to the health of the feeding insects, and can significantly affect their growth, development, and physiological enzyme activities ( Cao et al 2015 , Li et al 2018 ). Differences in nutrient content or ingestion of protease inhibitors can directly affect the level of digestive enzyme metabolism of insects ( Guerreiro et al 2021 , Zamani Fard et al 2022 ). Significant differences in the activities of amylase, protease, and lipase were observed in insects after feeding on different foods ( Wang et al 2018 , Kotkar et al 2009 ), which affected the ability of insects to digest and absorb exogenous energy substances.…”

“…Digestive enzymes are important physiological components that play pivotal roles in the maintenance of normal growth, development, and survival of insects as well as their physiological and biochemical metabolism ( Terra and Ferreira 1994 , Erthal et al 2007 , Zamani Fard et al 2022 ). Therefore, digestive enzyme activity is often used as a key indicator for determining the physiological adaptability of insects ( Yuan et al 2020 , Zhi et al 2021 , Hemmati et al 2022 ).…”

Can Essential Oils Be a Natural Alternative for the Control of Spodoptera frugiperda? A Review of Toxicity Methods and Their Modes of Action

“…When carrying out the bibliographic search on the insecticidal effects of EOs, and their main components, against S. frugiperda , it was observed that, in addition to the great variability in the methods implemented and the results obtained, this species had fewer toxicity studies carried out than the other pest species of the same genus. In contrast, Spodoptera littoralis , a generalist pest of legume crops such as Vigna radiata [ 94 ], is the species most frequently used for the study of the toxicity of EOs and their main components, followed by S. litura , the tobacco cutworm that attacks cotton, beans, tobacco, vegetables, and rice [ 95 ], and S. exigua , the beet armyworm [ 96 ]. Based on these observations, an analysis of the studies on toxicity in this complex of species was carried out in order to make a comparison with results observed for S. frugiperda .…”

Life Table Parameters and Digestive Enzyme Activity of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Selected Legume Cultivars

“…The Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly polyphagous and destructive pest which attacks a wide range of economically important crops throughout the world [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Lepidopteran larvae are of global phytosanitary concern due to their ability to attack a variety of plant structures, negatively affecting crop quality and causing economic losses [ 5 ].…”