Lethal and sublethal effects of methoxyfenozide and spinosad on Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Susceptibility to methoxyfenozide of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae was determined through exposure of neonate and fourth instars to dipped and sprayed pepper, Capsicum annum L., leaves. Methoxyfenozide and spinosad were tested against adults of this noctuid by oral, residual, and topical application. In larvae, we evaluated five (range, 0.001-10 mg active ingredient [AI] /liter) and six (range, 1-250 mg [AI] /liter) concentration levels by instars, respectively, by using two application methods at three different age leaf residues (0, 3, and 6 d after application). According to LC50 values, no significant differences were observed between the same age leaf residues of both application methods at 96 and 72 h after ingestion treatment on neonates and fourth instars, respectively. Nevertheless, toxicity of methoxyfenozide decreased significantly after time. For both application methods, the LC50 values of the first leaf residue (0 d after application) were significantly lower than those of 6-d-old residues. Furthermore, larval weight of fourth instars fed for 48 h with pepper, Capsicum annum L., leaves containing methoxyfenozide was significantly suppressed. Spinosad and methoxyfenozide reduced in a dose-dependent manner the fecundity and fertility of S. littoralis adults when treated oral and residually. Likewise, when methoxyfenozide was administered orally in three different adult crosses, the fecundity was strongly affected, independently of the treated sex. We conclude that the combination of lethal and sublethal effects of methoxy-fenozide and spinosad might exhibit significant effects on the population dynamics of S. littolaris.     

3种人工饲料对草地贪夜蛾生长发育及繁殖力的影响

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E. Smith)是2019年入侵我国的重要农业害虫,筛选出合适的人工饲料可为规模化繁育提供基础。本文通过组建实验种群生命表的方法,研究了3种人工饲料对草地贪夜蛾生长发育、繁殖力以及种群增长潜能的影响,以玉米叶饲养的作为对照。结果表明,3种人工饲料对草地贪夜的饲养效果具有明显差异。其中,以饲料Ⅱ饲养的结果最理想,除幼虫-蛹发育历期(如雌性个体,23.63 d)比对照(20.98 d)略有延长外,幼期存活率(88.00%)、雌性蛹重(243.90 mg)、雄性蛹重(251.60 mg)、产卵量(845.90粒)等指标均优于对照,生命表参数中的净生殖力R_0(346.29)、内禀增长率r_m(0.1859)、周限增长率λ(1.2043)也高于对照。用饲料Ⅰ饲养时,草地贪夜蛾能够完成世代发育,但存在幼虫-蛹的发育历期(41.56 d)明显延长、幼期存活率(36.00%)、产卵雌成虫比例低(25.00%)等问题,难以达到室内大量繁育的要求。而以饲料Ⅲ饲养的草地贪夜蛾仅能生长发育至5龄幼虫,不能完成世代发育。综合相关生物学指标来看,饲料Ⅱ是饲养草地贪夜的适宜人工饲料。     

Regulation of vitellogenesis in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Studies were undertaken to investigate vitellogenesis and its regulation in female adults of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A single female-specific protein, likely to be the S. frugiperda vitellogenin (Vg), appeared approximately 5 h after adult eclosion in the hemolymph of virgin females. The concentration of the protein increased with age as sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed. A protein with the same relative molecular mass was also present in egg extracts, but absent from hemolymph samples from male moths. The relative molecular mass of the designated S. frugiperda Vg was determined as 164.5+/-2.5 kDa. Vitellogenic oocytes became visible 36-48 h after emergence and egg deposition began on day 3 of adult life. Vg could not be detected in the hemolymph of females decapitated directly after eclosion. When decapitated virgin females were injected with the JH-mimic methoprene (MP), the level of Vg was comparable to that in non-decapitated moths, indicating that vitellogenesis in S. frugiperda depends on juvenile hormone (JH). However, the number of vitellogenic oocytes was somewhat lower than in non-decapitated virgin females. Injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) promoted Vg production to a similar extent in decapitated female moths, but in contrast to methoprene injection, treatment with 20E never resulted in the production of vitellogenic oocytes. In vitro cultivated ovaries of adult females dissected directly after eclosion produced lower amounts of ecdysteroids than those isolated on day 1 after emergence. Our results suggest a crucial role for 20E in the induction of vitellogenesis in the noctuid S. frugiperda, while JH seems to be essential for the continued uptake of Vg by developing oocytes and may trigger 20E biosynthesis in the ovary.     

CO2浓度升高对草地贪夜蛾生长发育的直接影响

草地贪夜蛾自2019年1月入侵云南以来,已迅速扩散至我国20个省,对我国的农业生产造成了极大危害。本研究通过在两种CO_2浓度(400 ppm和800 ppm)下用离体玉米叶片饲养草地贪夜蛾,分析比较了CO_2浓度升高对草地贪夜蛾生长发育和繁殖力的直接影响。结果表明:在800 ppm CO_2浓度下,草地贪夜蛾各虫态发育历期均长于400 ppm CO_2浓度下的发育历期;其中,1龄、6龄幼虫发育历期,幼虫总发育历期和蛹期在两种CO_2浓度下差异均达到极显著水平(P0.01)。此外,相同龄期草地贪夜蛾幼虫体重在两个CO_2浓度之间差异不显著,但蛹重存在极显著性差异,分别为198.82±3.45 mg(400 ppm)和245.89±4.18 mg(800 ppm)(P0.01);高CO_2浓度下雌虫的产卵期显著长于正常CO_2浓度下的产卵期,分别为2.4±0.8 d(400 ppm)和6.0±0.9 d(800 ppm),高CO_2浓度下平均单雌产卵量是正常CO_2浓度下的2.43倍,差异显著(P0.05)。研究结果为预测草地贪夜蛾未来的发生趋势提供了理论依据。     

Juvenile hormone biosynthesis in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

The in vitro production of juvenile hormones (JH) was investigated by using corpora allata (CA) of larvae and corpora cardiaca-corpora allata (CC-CA) complexes of adult females of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. In female moths, JH release was high compared to that in 5th and 6th instar larvae. Concentrations of 0.11-0.12 mM methionine, 180-200 mM Na(+), 5.8-8.3 mM K(+), 10-50 mM Ca(2+) and a pH range of 5.7-6.3 yielded optimal incorporation of L-[methyl-(3)H] methionine in vitro by CC-CA complexes. The highest hourly incorporation occurred during a 9-h incubation period following a 1.5-h lag-phase. JH release from CC-CA complexes of adult females was shown to be age-dependent with a peak value on day 2 (approx. 4 pmol h(-1) CA(-1)). By a combination of reversed phase (RP)- and normal phase (NP)-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), two major labelled products released by the complex were separated. One compound co-migrated with chemically synthesized JH II diol, the second compound with JH III diol. Only traces of JH II and III could be detected in some samples. Gland extracts also contained both the major radiolabelled products. Double labelling experiments using [3H]methionine and [14C]acetate confirmed their de novo synthesis in CC-CA complexes of female moths. The nature of chemically synthesized reference JH III diol was proved by LC-MS (ESI mass spectrometry) and 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy).     

Oviposition, development, and reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) fed on different hosts of economic importance

The host selection for oviposition by Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) among corn, millet, cotton and soybean, and its relationship with the biological characteristics were investigated. Free and non-choice tests for oviposition using plots containing five plants each, from each host in plastic greenhouse, resulted in similar oviposition preference among the host plants. In addition, selected biological characteristics of S. frugiperda were determined in the laboratory with larvae feeding on host leaves, and the combination of leaf and cotton boll. Neonate larvae exhibited low success of colonization on cotton boll compared to the leaves of all other hosts. Spodoptera frugiperda fed only on cotton bolls exhibited longer larval and pupal development, and longer adult life span; however with similar egg production. Larvae fed cotton leaves during six days and then transferred to cotton bolls, however, exhibited development and reproduction similar to those reared on corn or only on cotton leaves. Therefore, the variations on immature stages of S. frugiperda were not related with host selection for oviposition which was similar among the studied hosts. Based on our data, the millet as a winter, rotational, and cover crop is a potential host for S. frugiperda, while leaves and cotton bolls were diets of intermediate suitability as compared to corn and soybean leaves.     

草地贪夜蛾的性信息素通讯研究进展

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda原产于美洲,具有长距离迁飞特性。该虫于1988年入侵欧洲,2016年入侵非洲,并引起巨大的粮食损失,2018年入侵亚洲,2019年从缅甸传入中国,并在短时间扩散至全国10多个省。草地贪夜蛾依赖性信息素通讯,实现雌雄间识别、交配和繁衍,为了深入研究草地贪夜蛾的性信息素通讯及其机制并开发更高效的预测预报和防治技术,本文综述了草地贪夜蛾性信息素通讯的研究现状。1967年首次报道草地贪夜蛾性信息素为顺9-十四乙酸酯,随后发现有不同的鉴定结果,1986年确认其性信息素由顺9-十四乙酸酯和顺7-十二乙酸酯两个组分组成,其比例为96.6∶3.4时表现出最强的引诱活性。除此而外,对不同地理种群的研究发现,草地贪夜蛾雌蛾的信息素腺体提取物还存在顺9-十二乙酸酯、顺11-十六乙酸酯和反7-十二乙酸酯,田间实验表明这些物质在性信息素通讯中也可发挥作用。根据分子标记和喜食寄主,草地贪夜蛾可分为玉米品系和水稻品系。两个品系在外部形态上无法区分,性信息素组分也相同,但在组分比例上存在一定的差异。两个品系间存在一定程度的生殖隔离,但室内可以正交和反交并产生可育的F1代,F1代的性信息素比例与母本的比较相似。关于草地贪夜蛾雄性对性信息素的感受机制方面研究较少,仅见有感器形态的鉴定和对性信息素组分的触角电位反应研究的报道。根据目前草地贪夜蛾在我国的发生情况及其性信息素通讯机制的研究现状,我们建议尽快开展以下研究：(1)鉴定草地贪夜蛾我国入侵种群的雌性性信息素,尽快用于其种群动态监测及防治;(2)研究草地贪夜蛾雄性对性信息素的嗅觉编码机制;(3)研究草地贪夜蛾两个品系的行为隔离程度及其演化结局。     

Lethal and sublethal effects of the naturally derived insecticide spinosad on parasitoids of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Laboratory studies were performed on the lethal and sublethal effects of spinosad on three important species of parasitoids attacking Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in Mexico. Reproduction of the braconid Chelonus insularis (Cresson), on treated egg masses was completely eliminated at 200 parts per million (ppm) and reduced by ∼70% at 20 ppm compared to the controls. Adult C. insularis did not avoid contact with residues on maize (200 ppm), but suffered a 7-day reduction in longevity after contact with residues. Initial toxicity of spinosad applied to a natural host of S. frugiperda was concentration dependent and resulted in 23 to 100% mortality of the eulophid Euplectrus plathypenae Howard at 25 to 200 ppm, respectively. The survival of Eu. plathypenae was initially reduced, especially in males, following contact with field weathered residues on maize (200 ppm). However, survival of both sexes rapidly returned to control values on foliage sampled after rainfall. A similar effect was observed in the mortality response of female Eu. plathypenae exposed to residues on sorghum. The ichneumonid Eiphosoma vitticolle Cresson did not avoid reproduction in S. frugiperda larvae that were externally contaminated with 200 ppm spinosad, although all spinosad-treated hosts died before the parasitoid progeny could develop. We use these results to predict the impact of spinosad applications on the foraging and reproduction of these parasitoids in the field. Such predictions require validation by field studies.     

草地贪夜蛾人工饲料及饲养条件的优化

改良草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E Smith)人工饲料配方及优化饲养条件,为草地贪夜蛾室内批量饲养奠定基础。利用不同人工饲料配方及制作工艺、不同温湿条件、对草地贪夜蛾进行群体饲养,研究其对草地贪夜蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响,并开展不同产卵介质对草地贪夜蛾成虫产卵量及卵孵化率的影响。结果显示,在温度27℃±0.5℃、相对湿度70%±5%、光周期L∶D=16 h∶8 h的人工气候箱中,采用饲料配方4进行幼虫群体饲养的效果最好,其发育历期最短,仅为27.1 d,幼虫存活率高达83.8%,化蛹率为91.2%,雌雄性比为1∶1.08,单雌产卵量为836粒。另外,草地贪夜蛾幼虫最喜食加热20 min的饲料,成虫于粉色塑料纸上产卵量最大。该饲料配方非常适宜草地贪夜蛾室内饲养,优化的饲养条件也为其室内规模化饲养提供参考。     

Artificial diet for rearing Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), a predator of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

A new technique involving an artificial diet and an artificial substrate for oviposition for the rearing of the predator Doru luteipes (Scudder) is suggested. Both adults and nymphs were maintained in petri dishes containing a transparent piece of soda straw filled with moistened cotton and the corresponding food for the biossays. The following treatments were tested: eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Anagasta kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae); insect pupae meal (FPI); Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) commercial pollen (PC); FPI + PC, and FPI + cattail pollen [Typha angustifolia L. (Thyphaceae)]. Each treatment had 50 replicates, and food was offered in excess. Treatments consisting of insect pupae meal (FPI), FPI + commercial pollen (PC), and FPI + cattail pollen resulted in nymphal development of 32, 29, and 29 days, with 83, 90 and 100% survival, respectively, and were superior to the PC treatment, with values of 37 days and 67% survival observed for insects reared on commercial pollen. Treatments that included insect pupae flour, either alone or mixed with pollens, were similar to control (S. frugiperda eggs). We conclude that the artificial diets tested and rearing technique are suitable for the artificial rearing of D. luteipes in laboratory conditions.     

Patterns of genomic and allochronic strain divergence in the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)

Speciation is the process through which reproductive isolation develops between distinct populations. Because this process takes time, speciation studies often necessarily examine populations within a species that are at various stages of divergence. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is comprised of two strains (R = Rice & C = Corn) that serve as a novel system to explore population divergence in sympatry. Here, we use ddRADSeq data to show that fall armyworm strains in the field are largely genetically distinct, but some interstrain hybridization occurs. Although we detected F1 hybrids of both R‐ and C‐strain maternal origin, only hybrids with R‐strain mtDNA were found to contribute to subsequent generations, possibly indicating a unidirectional barrier to gene flow. Although these strains have been previously defined as “host plant‐associated,” we recovered an equal proportion of R‐ and C‐strain moths in fields dominated by C‐strain host plants. As an alternative to host‐associated divergence, we tested the hypothesis that differences in nightly activity patterns could account for reproductive isolation by genotyping temporally collected moths. Our data indicates that strains exhibit a significant shift in the timing of their nightly activities in the field. This divergence in phenology creates a prezygotic reproductive barrier that likely maintains the genetic isolation between strains. Thus, we conclude that it may be ecologically inaccurate to refer to the C‐ and R‐ strain as “host‐associated” and they should more appropriately be considered “allochronic strains.”     

氰氟虫腙对草地贪夜蛾的毒力与田间防效

【目的】本研究旨在明确氰氟虫腙对草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda幼虫的毒力水平和田间防治效果,为科学使用氰氟虫腙防治草地贪夜蛾提供参考依据。【方法】采用饲料混毒法在室内测定了氰氟虫腙与4种常用杀虫剂甲维盐、氯虫苯甲酰胺、虱螨脲和茚虫威对草地贪夜蛾3和6龄幼虫的致死中浓度(LC₅₀)及LC₉₀值,以及LC₉₀浓度的这些杀虫剂对3龄幼虫的致死中时(medium lethal time, LT₅₀)值。采用人工喷雾方法测定了玉米田中22%氰氟虫腙悬浮剂(6.6 g/667 m²)、22%氰氟虫腙悬浮剂(17.6 g/667 m²)、5.7%甲维盐水分散剂(1 g/667 m²)和150 g/L茚虫威悬浮剂(2 g/667 m²)对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的防效。【结果】室内生测结果显示,供试的5种杀虫剂中氰氟虫腙对草地贪夜蛾3和6龄幼虫均具有较高的毒力,其LC₅₀值分别为2.64和4.3...     

Microbiome of the larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from maize plants

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is an invasive insect pest with a diverse host range threatening food security in the African continent by causing severe economic damage to staple maize crop. FAW like all other insects are associated with various microbiota that influence their several characteristics and activities. The microbiota of insects plays important roles in their growth, development and environmental adaptation to their host plants or animals and not much is known about microbiota of FAW in Nigeria. In this study, the microbial community of FAW larvae from maize plants in Nigeria was investigated using Illumina PE250 NovaSeq of 16S rRNA V3-V4 gene region. A total of 1,160,133 sequence reads that ranged from 83,794 to 145,475 were obtained. They span through 2 kingdoms: bacteria (99.59%) and archaea (0.37%), 37 phyla, 59 classes, 78 orders, 145 families and 285 genera. The dominant taxonomic group of bacteria across the larval samples were Proteobacteria (58.32%), Firmicutes (35.87%) and Bacteroidetes (4.02%). There were no significant differences in bacteria species diversity and richness among the individual fall armyworm larva and samples from different geographical regions. The relative abundance of Bacteria phyla and classes also showed no significant differences among the larval samples. Significant differences were documented in bacteria orders Acidobacteriales and Aeromonadales, family Acidobacteriaceae_ (Subgroup_1) and genera Novosphingobium and Pedobacter. The results indicate that the gut of FAW larvae harbours a diverse set of bacteria and archaea biota. Understanding their ecological and functional relevance would provide novel insight on potential approaches for their exploitation in the integrated management of FAW in the tropics.     

Lethal and sublethal effects of thiacloprid on survival,growth and reproduction of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is the most destructive pest of cotton, tomato and chickpea in Iran. In this study, the lethal and sublethal effects of thiacloprid were evaluated against cotton bollworm under laboratory condition at 26?±?1?°C, 70?±?5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D). Bioassay experiments were conducted on first larval instars by mixing the insecticide dilutions with artificial diet. The LC₅₀ value of thiacloprid was 329?mg a.i./l. Sublethal effects of LC₃₀ concentration of thiacloprid was studied on biological parameters. In the study of sublethal effects, thiacloprid at LC₃₀ concentration significantly increased larval and pupal developmental times and reduced adults longevity compared with control but showed no significant effects on fecundity of cotton bollworm. Sublethal effects of thiacloprid also significantly reduced pupal weight compared with control. In general, sublethal effects studies showed that thiacloprid had adverse effects on biological parameters of the pest. Thus, our data suggest that thiacloprid had moderate potential against cotton bollworm.     

Detoxification enzymes and the effects of temperature on the toxicity of pyrethroids to the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

1. The effects of temperature on the topical toxicity of cypermethrin and fenvalerate to fifth-instar larvae of the fall annyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, were investigated, as well as their effects on ataxia and prostration. Activities of carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase were also assessed.2. Pyrethroid toxicities were characterized by a negative temperature coefficient (TC) between 15 and 27°C, and a positive TC between 27 and 38°C. Fenvalerate was more toxic at all test temperatures.3. The median time for the onset of ataxia and prostration decreased as temperature increased.4. Activity (μmol/min/mg protein) of carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase was significantly lower for fenvalerate-treated insects (217.4 and 17.2, respectively) than for cypermethrin (344.7, 39.7).     

Grass species and endophyte effects on survival and development of fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Grass selections including 10 zoysiagrasses, 18 paspalums, 34 Bermuda grasses, tall fescue, creeping red fescue, and perennial ryegrasses with and without endophyte were evaluated for potential resistance to fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), larvae. Laboratory evaluations assessed the degree of antibiosis among >70 grass lines to first-instar fall armvworms. When all parameters measured were considered, the trend in resistance to fall armyworm among endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) cool season grasses from greatest to least was: 'Dawson' E+ > APR 1234 > 'Dawson' E- > 'Rosalin' E+ > Lp 5425, 'Rosalin' E-, ATF 480 > 'Tulsa' or: E+ slender creeping red fescue > E+ turf- type perennial ryegrass > E- slender creeping red fescue > E+ forage-type perennial ryegrass > E- forage-type perennial ryegrasses, and E+ tall fescue > E- turf-type tall fescue. Among warm season grasses larval weight gain was reduced on all zoysiagrasses. Larval weight gain also was lower on the Bermuda grasses 'Tifsport', 'Tifgreen', 97-4, 97-14, 97-22, 97-28, 97-39, 97-40,97-54, 98-15, 98-30, and 98-45 than when larvae were fed 'Tulsa' tall fescue or the diet control. Only APR1234 and 'Dawson' creeping red fescue reduced larval survival to the same extent that was observed for zoysiagrasses. Survival on Bermuda grasses was least on 97-8. Seashore paspalums were only rarely less susceptible to fall armyworm than tall fescue, although pupal weights were consistently lower on 'Temple 1' and 'Sea Isle 1' paspalums than that on 'Tulsa' tall fescue. Genetic resistance to key grass pests can reduce insecticide use and simplify management of these cultivars.     

Effect of cold acclimation and rapid cold-hardening on the survival of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under cold stress

Spodoptera frugiperda is a highly invasive pest species that recently invaded Africa and Asia causing severe economic losses, primarily related to corn and rice crops. Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors that influence the invasion of pests into new habitats. However, little is known regarding the thermal tolerance characteristics of invasive S. frugiperda. Thus, we investigated the response of four developmental stages of S. frugiperda (i.e., eggs, third and sixth instar larvae, and pupae) to cold acclimation (CA) and rapid cold-hardening (RCH). All individuals suffered high mortality with 24-h temperature treatments at <?5°C and >35 °C. The CA treatment significantly increased the survival rate of the eggs and third instar larvae, although it did not affect the sixth instar larvae and it decreased the pupation rate. The RCH treatment at 5 °C for 5 h or 2 °C for 2 h increased the cold tolerance capabilities of the third and sixth instar larvae, respectively. Thus, the larval stage appears to be crucial for the cold tolerance of S. frugiperda. Our findings improve the current understanding of the cold tolerance characteristics of S. frugiperda and indicate its potential for survival in the newly invaded temperate regions of Asia.     

Spatial distribution of plants infested with Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on corn crop

The importance of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is not only due to the damage it can cause, but also to its difficult control. It is essential to know the pest population parameters, such as its standard scattering in the crop, because depending on the space arrangement of the insects in the area, different sampling methods are required. For the present work, three experimental fields were installed in different areas: the first one had 66 plots with seven plants each; the second one had 55 plots with four plants each; and the third field had 55 plots with six plants each. The presence or absence of the pest in the plant was evaluated in the samples. According to the data observed, either to the scattering index or to the theoretical scattering models, S. frugiperda dispersion is scattered at random and strongly depends on the infestation level.     

First report of the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), natural enemies from Africa

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major pest of maize in North and South America. It was first reported from Africa in 2016 and currently established as a major invasive pest of maize. A survey was conducted to explore for natural enemies of the fall armyworm in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania in 2017. Smallholder maize farms were randomly selected and surveyed in the three countries. Five different species of parasitoids were recovered from fall armyworm eggs and larvae, including four within the Hymenoptera and one Dipteran. These species are new associations with FAW and were never reported before from Africa, North and South America. In Ethiopia, Cotesia icipe was the dominant larval parasitoid with parasitism ranging from 33.8% to 45.3%, while in Kenya, the tachinid fly, Palexorista zonata, was the primary parasitoid with 12.5% parasitism. Charops ater and Coccygidium luteum were the most common parasitoids in Kenya and Tanzania with parasitism ranging from 6 to 12%, and 4 to 8.3%, respectively. Although fall armyworm has rapidly spread throughout these three countries, we were encouraged to see a reasonable level of biological control in place. This study is of paramount importance in designing a biological control program for fall armyworm, either through conservation of native natural enemies or augmentative release.     

4种昆虫病原线虫对草地贪夜蛾的致死作用

【目的】探讨昆虫病原线虫对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的侵染效果。【方法】在室内条件下采用生测试验法,测定了小卷蛾斯氏线虫AⅡ、长尾斯氏线虫X-7、夜蛾斯氏线虫SN和嗜菌异小杆线虫H06等4种昆虫病原线虫对草地贪夜蛾2龄和5龄幼虫的致死作用。【结果】小卷蛾斯氏线虫AⅡ与草地贪夜蛾数量比为50∶1时,36 h后草地贪夜蛾2龄和5龄幼虫的死亡率分别为92%和100%。长尾斯氏线虫X-7与草地贪夜蛾数量比为50∶1时,36 h后草地贪夜蛾2龄幼虫的死亡率为80%;在数量比30∶1时,36 h后草地贪夜蛾5龄幼虫死亡率为100%。夜蛾斯氏线虫SN与草地贪夜蛾数量比为400∶1时,36 h后草地贪夜蛾2龄和5龄幼虫的死亡率分别为88%和85%。嗜菌异小杆线虫H06与草地贪夜蛾在400∶1时,36 h后草地贪夜蛾2龄和5龄幼虫的死亡率分别为32%和67.5%。【结论】小卷蛾斯氏线虫AⅡ具有较好的草地贪夜蛾生物防治潜质,其次是长尾斯氏线虫X-7。