Transgenerational Effects of the Flavonoid Rutin on Population Fitness and Metabolic Dynamics in Spodoptera...

Spodoptera frugiperda is a highly destructive agricultural pest that poses a significant threat to crops worldwide. While traditional insecticides offer effective control, their environmental impact and potential for fostering pest resistance raise critical concerns. Present study investigates the effect of rutin, a plant-derived flavonoid, on the ecological fitness of FAW larvae. Our bioassays demonstrate that flavonoid rutin exposure leads to a significant reduction in body weight and size in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, an analysis using age-stage, two-sex life tables reveal detrimental effects on survival rates and an extension of developmental duration in both F₀ and F₁ generations, with transgenerational impacts observed. Importantly, reduced food consumption correlates with altered gene expression and enzyme activities related to sugar and lipid metabolism in the midgut of F₀ larvae. These findings enhance our understanding of the ecological implications of phytochemicals like rutin on pest population dynamics, highlighting their potential as eco-friendly alternatives for integrated pest management strategies.