Entomology, Department of

 

Date of this Version

6-8-2017

Citation

BACKGROUND: Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the major pests of maize, and is in the same feeding guild of the noctuid pests, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), recently reported in South and North America. The intraguild interactions of these species were assessed in laboratory and field conditions by determining the survival of larvae in interactions scenarios with non-Bt maize silks and ears. Moreover, a video-tracking system was utilized to evaluate behavioral parameters during larval interactions in scenarios with or without food. RESULTS: In intraguild interactions, S. frugiperda had greater survival (55 to 100%) when competing with Helicoverpa spp. in scenarios where larvae were the same instar or when they were larger (4th vs. 2nd) than their competitor. Frequency and time in food of S. frugiperda larvae were negatively influenced by interactions. Larvae of S. frugiperda moved shorter distances (less than 183.03 cm) compared to H. zea.

CONCLUSION: Overall, S. frugiperda had a competitive advantage over Helicoverpa spp. This study provides significant information regarding noctuid behavior and larval survival during intraguild interactions, which may impact pest prevalence and population dynamics, thereby affecting integrated pest management and insect resistance management of these species in maize.

Comments

Copyright (c) 2017 by José P. F., Bentivenha, Débora G. Montezano, Thomas E. Hunt, Edson L. L. Baldin, Julie A. Peterson, Vinícius S. Victor, Luiz E. R. Pannuti, Ana M. Vélez, and Silvana V. Paula-Moraes.

Accepted April 26, 2017, for publication in Pest Management Science

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the major pests of maize, and is in the same feeding guild of the noctuid pests, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), recently reported in South and North America. The intraguild interactions of these species were assessed in laboratory and field conditions by determining the survival of larvae in interactions scenarios with non-Bt maize silks and ears. Moreover, a video-tracking system was utilized to evaluate behavioral parameters during larval interactions in scenarios with or without food.

silks and ears. Moreover, a video-tracking system was utilized to evaluate behavioral parameters during larval interactions in scenarios with or without food.

RESULTS: In intraguild interactions, S. frugiperda had greater survival (55 to 100%) when competing with Helicoverpa spp. in scenarios where larvae were the same instar or when they were larger (4th vs. 2nd) than their competitor. Frequency and time in food of S. frugiperda larvae were negatively influenced by interactions. Larvae of S. frugiperda moved shorter distances (less than 183.03 cm) compared to H. zea.

CONCLUSION: Overall, S. frugiperda had a competitive advantage over Helicoverpa spp. This study provides significant information regarding noctuid behavior and larval survival during intraguild interactions, which may impact pest prevalence and population dynamics, thereby affecting integrated pest management and insect resistance management of these species in maize.

Included in

Entomology Commons

Share

COinS