The Population Growth of Spodoptera frugiperda on Six Cash Crop Species and Implications for Its Occurrence and Damage Potential in China

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda is a significant migratory invasive pest, identified as a serious threat to agricultural production and food security in China. However, to our knowledge, the effects of most host plants on the biological characteristics of S. frugiperda have not been well studied. To develop effective management strategies for S. frugiperda in its new invasive habitat, basic biological and ecological knowledge of this pest are crucial requirements. Here, we examined the effects of six cash crops maize, wheat, soybean, tomato, cotton and Chinese cabbage on the development, survival, fecundity of S. frugiperda by using the age-stage, two-sex life table. The preadult stage, adult preoviposition period and total preoviposition period of S. frugiperda were shortest on maize and wheat but were longest on tomato. Fecundity was greatest on maize and wheat but smallest on tomato. The highest intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, net reproductive rate and the shortest mean generation time were recorded on maize. This present study showed that S. frugiperda could cause great economic losses to these cash crops, which should attract the attention of agricultural management departments. Our findings provide useful information in predicting population dynamics and understanding the potential damage that could be incurred by S. frugiperda invasion.

Keywords: Spodoptera frugiperda; cash crop; damage potential; invasive pest; life history; population growth.

Figure 1

Pupa weight of S. frugiperda fed on five plant species. Different uppercase and lowercase letters indicate significant differences among different plant species (p < 0.05), respectively. * indicates significant differences between females and males on the same plant species (p < 0.05).

Figure 2

Age-stage specific survival rate (s_xj) of S. frugiperda fed on six plant species.

Figure 3

Age-specific survival rate (l_x), female age-stage specific fecundities (f_x), fecundity (m_x) and net maternity (l_xm_x) of S. frugiperda fed on five plant species.

Figure 4

Age-stage specific life expectancy (e_xj) of S. frugiperda fed on five host crops.

Figure 5

Age-stage specific reproductive value (v_xj) of S. frugiperda fed on five host crops.

Figure 6

Projection of population growth potential of S. frugiperda fed on five host crops for duration of 120 days.

Figure 7

Projection of population growth potential of S. frugiperda fed on five plant species (a); the uncertainty of population projection of S. frugiperda fed on five plant species (b–f).