Renegade armies: the variable responses of Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) morphs to varying temperatures and host plant conditions

Issue Date

10-2011

Abstract

The effects of temperature and host plant quality and their interactions on growth, development and survival of solitarious and gregarious forms of Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were studied under laboratory condition. The larval and pupal periods, survivorship and pupal weight of the S. exempta at different temperatures (34°C, 282°C, 222°C) using two host plant conditions; water stressed plants (60-70% MC) and well watered plants (80-90%) were recorded. Temperature dominantly affected larval and pupal development time, larval and pupal survivorship and pupal weight of S. exempta. Development time significantly lengthened with decreasing temperature on water stressed host plants. Survivorship in larval and pupal stages varies either with temperature or with host quality and was generally lower at 222°C and water stressed plants in very young and older larvae of S. exempta. Water stressed host plants significantly reduced the pupal weight and d lengthened development time. Interactions between temperature and host plant quality had significant effects on larval and pupal development time and pupal weight of both the solitarious and gregarious forms. Distinct larval coloration was also observed at different temperatures. Gregarious larvae reared at 342°C showed solitarious like appearance characterized by olive to light green coloration and pale orange head capsule. Solitarious larvae reared at 222°C showed gregarious-like appearance having gray to black body coloration with black head capsule.

Document Type

Article

En – AGROVOC descriptors

SPODOPTERA EXEMPTA; NOCTUIDAE; LEPIDOPTERA; HOST PLANTS; TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE; ANIMAL DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES; DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

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