Morphometrics of Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) as Influenced by Cereal Hosts

Abstract

This laboratory study evaluate the morphometrics of fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) influenced by four cereal host plants. In maize, larval head capsule width was 0.22, 0.42, 0.71, 1.13, 1.29 and 2.94 mm for I to VI instars, respectively in sorghum was 0.20, 0.41, 0.67, 1.06, 1.24 and 3.05 mm for I to VI instars, respectively. In pearl millet, larval head capsule width was 0.19, 0.29, 0.52, 0.83, 1.23 and 2.80 mm, for I to VI instars, respectively. In sugarcane, head capsule width was 0.22, 0.43, 0.67, 0.94, 1.22 and 2.70 mm for I to VI instars, respectively. The mean pupal length varied significantly when reared on different cereal host plants, it was significantly maximum on maize (15.10 mm) followed by sorghum (14.20 mm), sugarcane (13.10) and lowest on pearl millet (12.30 mm). The significantly maximum pupal weight was noticed on maize (185.90 mg) followed by sorghum (144.40 mg), sugarcane (124.80 mg) and lowest on pearl millet (104.70 mg).