Impact of Bt cotton on the immune system and histology of the midgut of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Despite the efficiency of transgenic plants expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins as insecticides against several lepidopterans, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one species that presents low susceptibility to most Bt crops. This study investigated the effects of the Cry1Ac toxin expressed by Bt cotton in the midgut of S. frugiperda and its effects on the humoral and cellular immune responses. Three hypotheses were proposed and tested with contributing factors for the natural tolerance of S. frugiperda: (i) midgut regenerative cells are activated by the Cry1Ac toxin, and thus renew the epithelial cells damaged by the protein, (ii) Cry1Ac increased production of nitric oxide or phenoloxidase in the hemolymph, and (iii) there are qualitative and quantitative variations in the hemocyte levels of S. frugiperda. Caterpillars were reared using Bt cotton (Acala 90B) and non-Bt isolines (Acala 90), from the first to the fourth instar. The Bt cotton promoted elongation of the epithelial cells in the midgut of S. frugiperda caterpillars. Hence, evidence only supported the hypothesised increase of phenoloxidase (ii) and qualitative and quantitative differences in hemocyte levels (iii) in insects that were fed with Bt and non-Bt cotton. These parameters seem to explain the low susceptibility of S. frugiperda to Cry1Ac toxin and they are a viable set of responses for the evaluation of other xenobiotic factors.

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Impact of an Exotic Invasive Pest, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on Resident Communities of Pest and Natural Enemies in Maize Fields in Kenya

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11061074 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1074

Author(s):

Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame ◽

Boaz Musyoka ◽

Julius Obonyo ◽

François Rebaudo ◽

Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Enemies ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Invasive Pest ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Insect Communities ◽

Exotic Invasive Species ◽

Before And After ◽

Exotic Invasive ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

The interactions among insect communities influence the composition of pest complexes that attack crops and, in parallel, their natural enemies, which regulate their abundance. The lepidopteran stemborers have been the major maize pests in Kenya. Their population has been regulated by natural enemies, mostly parasitoids, some of which have been used for biological control. It is not known how a new exotic invasive species, such as the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), may affect the abundance and parasitism of the resident stemborers. For this reason, pest and parasitism surveys have been conducted, before and after the FAW invaded Kenya, in maize fields in 40 localities across 6 agroecological zones (AEZs) during the maize-growing season, as well as at 3 different plant growth stages (pre-tasseling, reproductive, and senescence stages) in 2 elevations at mid-altitude, where all maize stemborer species used to occur together. Results indicated that the introduction of the FAW significantly correlated with the reduction of the abundance of the resident communities of maize stemborers and parasitoids in maize fields; moreover, the decrease of stemborer density after the arrival of FAW occurred mostly at both reproductive and senescent maize stages. It also suggests a possible displacement of stemborers by FAW elsewhere; for example, to other cereals. However, since this study was conducted only three years after the introduction of the FAW, further studies will need to be conducted to confirm such displacements.

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First record of a parasitoid, Megaselia (M) scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from India

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control ◽

10.1186/s41938-021-00439-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sharanabasappa S. Deshmukh ◽

S. Kiran ◽

Atanu Naskar ◽

Palam Pradeep ◽

C. M. Kalleshwaraswamy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Outer Surface ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

First Record ◽

Instar Larva ◽

Major Threat ◽

Megaselia Scalaris ◽

Maize Cultivation ◽

First Time ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

AbstractThe fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), has become a major threat in maize cultivation since its invasion to India in 2018. The humpbacked fly, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae), was recorded as a laboratory parasitoid of FAW, for the first time in India. Initially, 30–40 maggots of M. (M) scalaris emerged out from the dead pre-pupa and pupa of laboratory-reared FAW. The fly laid up to 15 eggs on the outer surface of 6th instar larva or pre-pupa of the FAW. The incubation period was 1–2 days. The fly had 3 larval instars which lasted 3–4 days and a pupal period of 10–11 days. The adults survived for 6–7 days.

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First report of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) incidence in Himachal Pradesh (H.P.), India

Journal of Entomological Research ◽

10.5958/0974-4576.2021.00025.6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 159-164

Author(s):

Sanjay Kumar Sharma

Keyword(s):

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Himachal Pradesh ◽

First Report ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

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Biology and Nutritional Indexes of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Saccharine Sorghum

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v11n4p126 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 126

Author(s):

Lauren M. Barcelos ◽

Fabrício O. Fernandes ◽

Caroline Lopes ◽

Beatriz M. Emygdio ◽

Ricardo Valgas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Biological Data ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Grain Production ◽

Current Analysis ◽

Suitable Host ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Saccharine sorghum has been analyzed as a supplementary prime matter for ethanol production, especially during the sugarcane off-season period. However, it has proven to be highly susceptible to insect attacks during the cultivation cycle. The fall armyworm should be emphasized due to its voracity and high damage capacity enhanced by feeding-caused decrease in photosynthetic area. Current analysis studies the biology and determines the nutritional indexes of Spodoptera frugiperda in saccharine sorghum. Cultivars of saccharine sorghum BRS 506, BRS 509 and BRS 511were evaluated. Duration and survival of the egg, caterpillar, pre-pupal and pupal phases were determined, coupled to weight of pupae and caterpillar, life span, fecundity and pre-egg laying period. Although S. frugiperda completed its life cycle on cultivars BRS 506 and BRS 511, egg-laying and egg feasibility rates were low, whereas insects did not lay eggs on cultivar BRS 509. There was no significant difference in feeding intake by S. frugiperda among these three sorghum cultivars. Results suggest that saccharine sorghum is not a suitable host for S. frugiperda. Biological data reveal that the three saccharine sorghum cultivars are recommended for the grain production system since the number of specimens of the next generation is low or null.

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Computational modeling to describe the dynamics of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Bt crop areas

10.11606/t.11.2018.tde-20032018-135036 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Adriano Gomes Garcia

Keyword(s):

Computational Modeling ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

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Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Encyclopedia of Entomology ◽

10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_3747 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 1409-1412

Author(s):

E. S. Krafsur ◽

R. D. Moon ◽

R. Albajes ◽

O. Alomar ◽

Elisabetta Chiappini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

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Spodoptera frugiperda. [Distribution map].

Distribution Maps of Plant Pests ◽

10.1079/dmpp/20056600068 ◽

1985 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Central America ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Prince Edward Island ◽

French Guiana ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Virgin Islands ◽

Cayman Islands ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae ◽

New Distribution

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae] Fall armyworm. Attacks cereals and grasses, polyphagous NORTH AMERICA, Canada Manitoba New Brunswick Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Information is given on the geographical distribution in Quebec, Mexico, USA, CENTRAL AMERICA, AND CARIBBEAN, Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Nevis, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Virgin Islands, SOUTH AMERICA, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela, Israel.

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First Report of Native Parasitoids of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Mozambique

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects11090615 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 615

Author(s):

Albasini Caniço ◽

António Mexia ◽

Luisa Santos

Keyword(s):

Relative Abundance ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Egg Masses ◽

Native Parasitoids ◽

Cropping Season ◽

Parasitism Rates ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

The alien invasive insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly referred to as fall armyworm (FAW), is causing significant losses to maize production in Africa since its detection in 2016. As an emergency response, governments in several countries distributed and/or promoted massive use of synthetic insecticides among smallholder farmers to fight FAW. The inappropriate use of synthetic insecticides by non-trained and ill-equipped farmers raises environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of native parasitoids of FAW, their parasitism rates, and relative abundance in the central province of Manica, Mozambique. A field collection of FAW egg masses and larvae was conducted from May to August 2019 (dry season of the 2018/2019 cropping season) and in December 2019 and January 2020 (rainy season of 2019/2020 cropping season). A total of 101 egg masses and 1444 larvae of FAW were collected from infested fields. Five larval parasitoids were recorded, but no egg parasitism was observed. Coccygidium luteum Brullé (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Drino quadrizonula Thomson (Diptera: Tachinidae) were the primary parasitoids. Maximum parasitism of 23.68% and 8.86% and relative abundance of 100 and 96.3 were recorded for C. luteum and D. quadrizonula, respectively. Total parasitism by different parasitoid species was at 9.49%. Cultural practices favoring the action of these parasitoids should be advocated.

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