Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the midgut and fat body of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) treated with essential oils of the genus Piper

ABSTRACT

Essential oils are a promising alternative to insecticides. We investigated the LD₅₀ of oils extracted from Piper corcovadensis, P. marginatum, and P. arboreum after 48 h topical contact with Spodoptera frugiperda larvae using morphometry, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry of the midgut and fat body. Chromatography revealed that E-caryophyllene was the principal compound common to the Piper species. The essential oils of P. corcovadensis, P. marginatum and P. arboreum caused deleterious changes in the midgut of S. frugiperda larvae. P. corcovadensis oil produced the lowest LD₅₀ and significant histopathological alterations including elongation of the columnar cells, formation of cytoplasmic protrusions, reduction in carbohydrate, increased apoptotic index and decreased cell proliferation. P. arboreum oil caused histopathological alterations similar to P. corcovadensis, but caused the highest rate of cell proliferation and increased regenerative cells, which indicated rapid regeneration of the epithelium. Our findings demonstrated the insecticidal potential of P. corcovadensis for control of S. frugiperda owing to the significant damage it inflicted on S. frugiperda midgut.     

滇西香茅挥发油的化学成分

滇西香茅(Cymbopogon khasiamus(Hack.)Stapf ex Bor)为禾本科植物,分布于印度及缅甸,该植物过去在中国无分布记载,作者在云南首次发现。其挥发油为主要有效成分,当地与芸香草(Cymbopogon distans(Steud)Wats.)混用。为合理开发和利用该种植物,对挥发油的化学成分进行了分析。     

Extraction and characterization of essential oil components based on geraniol and citronellol from Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt)

Citronella oil is the main product of Java citronella grass (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) rich in geraniol and citronellol, widely used in mosquito repellents and perfumeries. The age of the plant plays a key role in oil composition and its yield such that young leaves have lesser oil content than the mature leaves. Also, a remarkable difference between fresh and dried leaves regarding oil yield is observed. The various methods of extracting essential oils from citronella grass with respect to yield (%) were studied. Average percent yield in the manual extraction and hydro-distillation procedure was 0.8 and 1 % respectively, which was better as compared to steam distilled oil (0.7 %). The chromatographic analysis of essential oils with respect to standards geraniol and citronellol were studied by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) with n-hexane and ethyl acetate (3:2) as mobile phase followed by its separation on plates. The developed plates showed geraniol, citronellol and citronellal as major bands. The analysis of all extracted oil samples by means of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the positive ion mode showed rapid mass fingerprints of constituents present in the samples according to the observed mass of standards. Furthermore, the analysis of vibrational spectra was accomplished with Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) specifying all the functional groups as major peaks confirming all of them as monoterpene alcohols with conjugated double bonds. Thus, HPTLC, ESI-MS and FTIR studies evidenced that the two essential oil components were majorly present in the methanol extract suggesting methanol as a good extractant in the manual extraction process.     

Effects of a nucleopolyhedrovirus in mixtures with azadirachtin on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae and viral occlusion body production

Abstract

The combined and alone effects of azadirachtin (AZA) and Spodoptera frugiperda multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV) on the mortality of S. frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were evaluated in the laboratory. For this, diet surface contamination bioassays were performed on S. frugiperda in the third instar. LC₅₀ values for SfMNPV alone were determined to be 430 and 373 viral occlusion bodies (OBs)/mm² at 192 and 216 h after treatment, respectively. LC₅₀ values for AZA alone were estimated for two periods of continuous exposure (4 or 5 days). In this case, LC₅₀ values were 45.5 and 16.8 mg L^?1 at 216 h after treatment (4 or 5 days of larval exposition to insecticide, respectively). We observed that although the interaction of AZA with SfMNPV increased viral pathogenicity, such improvements were of greater magnitude and more consistent at the lower OB concentration used (177 OBs/mm²). Application of SfMNPV (430 OBs/mm²), AZA (26.4 mg L^?1) or SfMNPV–AZA mixtures resulted in a significant reduction in the mean weight of larvae treated in the third instar across the experiment, by 23–41%, 17–95% and 26–97%, respectively, compared to control. The duration of larval development during the third and fourth instars increased significantly in larvae exposed to SfMNPV–AZA mixtures and AZA alone compared to SfMNPV alone and control treatments. The yield of OBs/mg weight of larvae treated with SfMNPV alone was 1.8-fold higher than OB yields from insects inoculated with SfMNPV–AZA mixtures. We conclude that AZA + SfMNPV mixtures are unlikely to be useful for the mass production of this virus and laboratory observations on the value of AZA + SfMNPV mixtures as a potentiator of biological insecticides require validation in field studies under commercial growing conditions.     

Silicon application promotes rice growth and negatively affects development of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

Silicon (Si) has been reported to enhance plant resistance against biotic and abiotic stressors and also benefit plant growth. These effects are more pronounced in grass species, especially with soil‐applied Si. This study investigated the effects of Si application on rice resistance to Spodoptera frugiperda development and plant vegetative growth. Effects of Si on rice were assessed via soil and foliar applications and compared with untreated plants (control). Si was soil‐ and foliar‐applied as 1% silicic acid solution at a dosage equivalent to 1.4 t Si per ha. After application, leaf material was collected from Si‐treated and untreated plants and placed in Petri dishes with individual S. frugiperda neonate larvae, where development was followed to adult emergence and biological parameters recorded. Vegetative growth parameters recorded in rice plants were the height, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry weights of shoots, and shoot Si content. No effects of Si application were observed on the durations of larval and pupal stages, larval and pupal survival, and sex ratio of S. frugiperda. Insects fed leaves from Si‐treated plants exhibited lower leaf consumption, larval and pupal weights, longevity of males and females, number of eggs, and egg viability. The negative effects were correlated with higher rice Si content. Si application to rice increased plant height, chlorophyll content and dry weight. Our study demonstrates that foliar‐applied Si is as efficient as soil‐applied Si in negatively affecting S. frugiperda development and providing beneficial effects on rice plant growth.     

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.”     

Ovicidal,larvicidal and oviposition repelling action of a nanoemulsion of citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon winterianus) on Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Cochliomyia hominivorax is the dipteran that causes the worst and most serious types of myiasis in animals and humans in the Americas. They are parasitic affections caused by the massive infestation of larvae of this species on the tissues of living mammals. The routine treatment uses chemosynthetic products that have high toxicity and can cause several injuries to animal and human health, besides environmental contamination. The development of more friendly alternatives to the treatment of this disease is an important knowledge gap nowadays. Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) is the most widely cultivated medicinal plant in tropical and subtropical regions. Essential oils have a recognised repellent and larvicidal activity against a wide variety of insects. This work aimed to evaluate the repellent, ovicidal and larvicidal efficacy of a topical commercial formulation composed of 15% (w/v) nanoemulsified Citronella essencial oil (Nano Citronela Plus®) in in vitro trials on specimens of C. hominivorax created under laboratory conditions. Nano Citronela Plus® is an oil-in-water nanoemulsion obtained by high-pressure homogenization method. The composition of tested nanoemulsion was Cymbopogon winterianus essential oil, vanillin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, polysorbate 80, sorbitan oleate, tocopheryl acetate, sodium benzoate and water. Nano Citronela Plus® demonstrated 100% lethality on eggs and first and second stage larvae of C. hominivorax. Mortality in the larvae of third stage was 69.33% and inhibited the oviposition of C. hominivorax females. Nano Citronela Plus® proved to be a possible herbal alternative for the control and treatment of myiasis caused by C. hominivorax. In vivo studies may test this hypothesis.     

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.     

Genomic features of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) yield insights into its defense system and flight capability

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an agriculturally important insect pest and causes significant economic loss due to its resistance to insecticide and high dispersal ability (i.e. long‐distance flyer). We performed comparative genomics analysis based on the recently released chromosome‐scale genome of the FAW to investigate the genetic mechanisms of FAWs defense system and flight ability. The gene families encoding receptors for bitter or toxic substances and detoxification enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, carboxylesterase and glutathione‐S‐transferase, were expanded in FAW, enabling its ability to detect and detoxify many plant secondary compounds. The chromosomal locations of five detoxification‐related genes (i.e. ABC, CCE, GST, P450, and UGT) were analyzed, which revealed the density of these genes across the FAW genome. Several genes like Mio, Sik2, CRTC, and Lpin were positively selected in FAW, which were associated with energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and/or muscle development, and thus possibly contributed to the high flight ability of FAW. We also analyzed the homologs to antimicrobial genes reported in the Drosophila genome, and identified 2 attacins, 6 cecropins, 3 gloverins, and 2 moricins in FAW. The findings of this study will broadly expand our knowledge on the biology of the devastating FAW, and contribute to the development of new pest management strategies for the control of major agricultural pests like FAW.     

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.     

Effects of Piper hispidinervum on spermatogenesis and histochemistry of ovarioles of Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), not only damages crops, but controlling its population also requires synthetic insecticides, which leads to selection of resistant populations and environmental contamination. Essential oils are an alternative for controlling this insect. There are few studies of the effects of these oils on the insect's reproductive system. We evaluated the effects of the long pepper, Piper hispidinervum, essential oil on the gonads of the armyworm and tested its possible influence on the fertility of this insect. Dosages of 30 and 50 mg/ml were tested in 3^rd instar caterpillars using the leaf immersion method. Testes and ovarioles were collected, fixed with 10% formalin and embedded in Historesin. The sections were stained with toluidine blue and Mallory trichrome to detect connective tissue, periodic acid-Schiff to detect neutral carbohydrates, and bromophenol blue to detect proteins. We found that the long pepper essential oil affected negatively the spermatogenesis and altered the histochemistry of the ovarioles of S. frugiperda. The effects of long pepper oil suggest that it is a promising tool for controlling the armyworm pest.     

Response of citronella Java (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) to VA mycorrhizal fungi and soil compaction in relation to P supply

Nutrient acquisition and growth of citronella Java (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) was studied in a P-deficient sandy soil to determine the effects of mycorrhizal symbiosis and soil compaction. A pasteurized sandy loam soil was inoculated either with rhizosphere microorganisms excluding VAM fungi (non-mycorrhizal) or with the VAM fungus, Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith (mycorrhizal) and supplied with 0, 50 or 100 mg P kg^-1 soil. The soil was compacted to a bulk density of 1.2 and 1.4 Mg m^-3 (dry soil basis). G. intraradices substantially increased root and shoot biomass, root length, nutrient (P, Zn and Cu) uptake per unit root length and nutrient concentrations in the plant, compared to inoculation with rhizosphere microorganisms when the soil was at the low bulk density and not amended with P. Little or no plant response to the VAM fungus was observed when the soil was supplied with 50 or 100 mg P kg^-1 soil and/or compacted to the highest bulk density. At higher soil compaction and P supply the VAM fungus significantly reduced root length. Non-mycorrhizal plants at higher soil compaction produced relatively thinner roots and had higher concentrations and uptake of P, Zn and Cu than at lower soil compaction, particularly under conditions of P deficiency. The quality of citronella Java oil measured in terms citronellal and d-citronellol concentration did not vary appreciably due to various soil treatments.     

Performance of Bt-susceptible and -heterozygous dual-gene resistant genotypes of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in seed blends of non-Bt and pyramided Bt maize

A seed blend refuge has been implemented in the U.S. Corn Belt for Bt maize resistance management. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a target pest of Bt maize in the Americas. The larvae of this pest are mobile, which may affect the efficacy of seed blend refuges. In this study, field and greenhouse trials were conducted to determine the performance of Bt-susceptible (aabb) and -heterozygous dual-gene-resistant (AaBb) genotypes of S. frugiperda in seed blends of non-Bt and pyramided Bt maize. Three field trials evaluated larval survival, larval growth, and plant injury with aabb in seed blends of Bt maize expressing Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2/Vip3A with 0–30% non-Bt seeds. Greenhouse tests investigated the performance of aabb and AaBb in seed blends of Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2 with 0–30% non-Bt seeds. In pure non-Bt maize plots, after 9–13 d of neonates being released on the plants, 0.39 and 0.65 larvae/plant survived with leaf injury ratings of 4.7 and 5.9 (Davis's 1–9 scale) in the field and greenhouse, respectively. In contrast, live larvae and plant injury were virtually not observed on Bt plants across all planting patterns. Larval occurrence and plant injury by aabb on non-Bt plants were similar between seed blends and pure non-Bt plantings, suggesting that the blended refuges could provide an equivalent susceptible population as structured refuge under the test conditions. In the greenhouse, the two insect genotypes in seed blends performed similarly, indicating that the seed blends did not provide more favorable conditions for AaBb over aabb. The information generated from this study should be useful in managing S. frugiperda and evaluating if send blends could be suitable refuge options for Bt resistance management in the regions where the insect is a primary target pest.     

螟黄赤眼蜂对草地贪夜蛾卵寄生效果评价

为了明确螟黄赤眼蜂Trichogramma chilonis对草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)卵寄生效果,室内组建了螟黄赤眼蜂在草地贪夜蛾卵上的实验种群生命表,调查统计了释放螟黄赤眼蜂后田间草地贪夜蛾卵的寄生率和幼虫的虫口减退率,并分析了释放距离对寄生效果的关系。结果显示,螟黄赤眼蜂在草地贪夜蛾卵上的净生殖力R0=10.8407,内禀增长率rm=0.2220,周限生长率λ=1.2486,单雌平均产雌率R0′=13.8877。放蜂区草地贪夜蛾卵块寄生率64.44%,卵粒寄生率35.42%,显著高于对照区,释放赤眼蜂第7天田间草地贪夜蛾虫口减退率58.92%,防效50.50%。释放距离为5 m内螟黄赤眼蜂对草地贪夜蛾卵寄生效果的无显著影响。结果表明螟黄赤眼蜂对草地贪夜蛾卵有较高的寄生效能,田间释放螟黄赤眼蜂对草地贪夜蛾卵具较高的寄生率和明显的幼虫虫口减退率,释放螟黄赤眼蜂对降低草地贪夜蛾虫源基数起着重要的作用。     

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。     

草地贪夜蛾室内人工饲养技术的研究

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E.Smith)是一种跨国迁飞性农业重大害虫,目前已入侵我国24个省并对多种农作物造成严重危害。研发草地贪夜蛾标准化饲养技术对开展其防控技术研究及生物学相关基础研究至关重要。通过对草地贪夜蛾室内饲养,从饲养器皿、人工饲料组分、饲养方法及流程、注意事项等方面总结了一套简便实用、长期规模化饲养的标准饲养技术。已利用该标准饲养技术连续饲养草地贪夜蛾5代,其各项生命指标仍保持较高水平。该饲料配方和饲养技术适合草地贪夜蛾的规模化饲养,同时也为其它夜蛾科害虫规模化饲养提供参考。     

叉角厉蝽对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的捕食功能反应

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J. E. Smith)是2019年新入侵我国的重大农业害虫,已对我国的农作物产生严重为害,筛选、利用本地天敌控制草地贪夜蛾是实现可持续控制的一个重要途径。叉角厉蝽Eocanthecona furcellate(Wolff)是一种广泛分布于热带、亚热带地区的捕食性天敌,是许多鳞翅目、鞘翅目、半翅目害虫的潜在生防因子。本文采用捕食功能反应方法评价了叉角厉蝽对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的捕食效能。研究结果表明,叉角厉蝽3龄、5龄若虫以及雌、雄成虫对草地贪夜蛾3龄及5龄幼虫的捕食功能反应均符合Holling-Ⅱ方程。在饱和猎物密度条件下,叉角厉蝽各虫态对草地贪夜蛾3龄幼虫的平均日最大捕食量依次为32.20头(5龄若虫)19.40头(雌成虫)18.20头(雄成虫)6.60头(3龄若虫),a/Th值(a为瞬时攻击率,Th为处置单头猎物时间)为82.25(5龄若虫)40.39(雌成虫)36.12(雄成虫)17.19(3龄若虫);叉角厉蝽各虫态对草地贪夜蛾5龄幼虫的平均日最大捕食量依次为7.80头(5龄若虫)6.40头(雌成虫)5.50头(雄成虫)4.60头(3龄若虫),a/Th值为11.36(5龄若虫)10.75(雌成虫)9.63(雄成虫)7.45(3龄若虫)。本研究表明叉角厉蝽对草地贪夜蛾幼虫具较强的捕食能力,尤其是5龄若虫、雌成虫和雄成虫。研究结果为利用叉角厉蝽防控草地贪夜蛾提供了理论依据,也为其田间释放应用提供技术支撑。     

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。     

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。