Comparative evaluation of the performance of castor leaf and three artificial diets in the rearing of fall armyworm, <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Fall armyworm (FAW) is the most recent destructive pest of maize crop in Africa. The rearing of FAW in large number using artificial diets is required for intensive study on its biology, damage potential and possible control strategies. This study evaluated the reproductive performance of FAW on castor plant leaf and diets prepared with cowpea flour, soya bean flour and corn flour. Each food source was replicated four times and arranged in a Completely Randomized Design. Biological parameters such as larval and pupal developmental periods, pupal weight, longevities of mated and unmated adult female; and larval and pupal survival rates were recorded on each diet. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and significant means were separated using LSD (P<0.05). Shorter larval developmental periods were recorded on cowpea diet (14.50 days), soya bean diet (18.75days) and castor leaf (15.25 days) and the longest larval developmental period on corn diet (29.50 days). Similarly, cowpea diet, soya bean diet and castor leaf significantly enhanced the pupation, adult emergence, fecundity of female and longevity of FAW than corn diet. However, cowpea flour formulated diet performed well above other diets on all biological parameters measured. Cowpea diet is highly recommended for the mass rearing of FAW in the laboratory.