Artificial Corn-Based Diet for Rearing Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Insect Rearing
• Pest Management

Background:

• Spodoptera frugiperda is a significant maize pest.
• Current laboratory diets lack corn, a primary food source.
• Optimizing artificial diets is crucial for research and control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the biology and food consumption of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae on different artificial diets.
• To compare larval food preference between standard and corn-based diets.
• To identify optimal diets for laboratory rearing of Spodoptera frugiperda.

Main Methods:

• Three artificial diets were tested: D1 (bean-based), D2 (corn flour substitute), and D3 (green corn).
• Biological parameters (survival, weight, sex ratio, fecundity, longevity) were assessed.
• Nutritional indices, fertility life tables, and feeding preference tests were conducted.

Main Results:

• Spodoptera frugiperda larvae developed on all diets, but D2 did not support oviposition.
• No significant differences were found in fertility life table parameters across diets.
• Diet D2 showed improved food ingestion, digestion, assimilation, and conversion, despite a metabolic cost.

Conclusions:

• Diet D2 was preferred by larvae and showed enhanced nutritional indices.
• Diets D1 and D3 are recommended as the most adequate for laboratory rearing of Spodoptera frugiperda.
• Further research may explore modifications to corn-based diets to improve reproductive success.