Biological Parameters and Fertility Life Table of Spodoptera frugiperda in Different Host Plants

This work evaluated the biology and life table parameters of susceptible populations (Sus) of Spodoptera frugiperda to insecticides and Bt proteins, in conventional maize, Bt YieldGard VT PRO™ (Cry1A. 105/Cry2Ab) and PowerCore™ (Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab/Cry1F), millet and sorghum to better feeding behavior in this population. The following parameters were assessed: width of the cephalic capsule, duration and viability of larval, pupal and egg stages, pupal weight, sex ratio, adult longevity, pre-oviposition and oviposition period and daily fecundity The larval diet affected most of the parameters analyzed, with the exception of adult longevity and the period of embryonic development. The sus population completed its development in all hosts except in the VT PRO™ and PowerCore™ technologies. Non-Bt maize (87.50%) had higher larval viability, with larvae pupating nearly twice as fast (14,364 days) than sorghum (22,663 days) and millet (25,153 days), with the lowest viability (25.63%) and longest larval stage observed in millet. The pre-oviposition period was significantly shorter in maize (2.2 days) and longer in millet (6.5 days). Females fed on maize (1872.3) also showed higher total fertility than sorghum (671.0) and millet (405.0). Our results suggest that millet is the least suitable host for the development of this population. Although maize is considered the preferred host, S. frugiperda was able to complete its development in most of the tested hosts, indicating that sorghum and millet, plants commonly cultivated in the main producing regions of Brazil, can sustain susceptible populations in the field, although not as productively as maize and can act as a reservoir for the pest between seasons.