Immature Stages of Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Developmental Parameters and Host Plants

Abstract

This study aimed to detail the temporal and morphological parameters of the immature stages of southern armyworm Spodoptera eridania (Stoll, 1782) with larvae feed on artificial diet, under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 14-h photophase) and gather information about their larval host plants. The viability of the egg, larval, pupal, and prepupal stages was 97.82, 93.62, 96.42, and 97.03%, respectively. The average duration of the egg, larval, pupal, and pre–pupal stages was 4.00, 16.18, 1.58, and 9.17 d, respectively. During the larval stage, 43.44% of females passed through seven instars, observing that the female’s development was significant slower than males. The female larvae that developed through six and seven instars exhibited a mean growth rate of 1.52 and 1.44, respectively. Female pupae were significantly larger, exhibiting faster development than males. The rearing method proved to be adequate, providing more detailed observations of the biological cycle, especially at the larval stage, and resulting in an overall survival of almost 85%. Two hundred two plant species belonging to 58 families are listed as natural hosts for S. eridania , mainly including Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Malvaceae.

Biotic potential and reproductive parameters of Spodoptera dolichos (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the laboratory

“…This is less than the longevity obtained for S. albula (28.3%) (MONTEZANO et al 2013a(MONTEZANO et al , 2014a and S. eridania (24.5%) (MONTEZANO et al 2013b(MONTEZANO et al , 2014b under the same conditions. Moreover, the greater longevity of S. dolichos, like other species of the genus that have great dispersal and/or migration ability (FERGUSON et al 1991), is related to its wide distribution within the American Continents, extending between the parallels 30° North and South (e.g., POGUE 2002, PASTRANA 2004.…”

“…BAVARESCO et al 2004, BUSATO et al 2006, MONTEZANO et al 2013b, 2014a, indicate that larger Spodoptera species take longer to develop and have higher fecundity. Therefore, the increase in fecundity compensates for the longer developmental period of larger species, for instance S. dolichos (present study) and S. cosmioides (BAVARESCO et al 2004), i when compared with smaller species, for instance S. albula (MONTEZANO et al 2013a), S. eridania (MONTEZANO et al 2014b) and S. frugiperda (BUSATO et al 2006).…”

“…2), lasts at least one more day than in S. albula and S. eridania (MONTEZANO et al 2013b(MONTEZANO et al , 2014b under the same conditions. Ultimately, the sexual maturity of S. dolichos occurs soon after emergence, as with other representatives of Spodoptera (e.g., ETMAN & HOOPER 1979, HABIB et al 1983, TISDALE & SAPPINGTON 2001, BUSATO et al 2006).…”

Reproductive potential of Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the laboratory: effect of multiple couples and the size

“…Spodoptera eridania (Stoll, 1782) is endemic to the Americas (Pogue, 2002), and its polyphagous larvae are associated with 202 host plants belonging to 58 plant families (Montezano et al, 2014). In addition to various native host plants, S. eridania larvae feed on invasive plants and crops such as alfalfa, cotton, peanuts, sweet potato, onions, beans, tobacco, sunflower, manioc, quinoa, soy, tomatoes and oleaceous in general (Montezano et al, 2014).…”

“…Considering the different factors influencing the fecundity of S. eridania, this study uses the same population and complements previous studies evaluating adults (Montezano et al, 2013) and immatures (Montezano et al, 2014). Our objective was to compare the effects of keeping multiple couples together, and pupal weight, on the fecundity and fertility of S. eridania adults.…”