The effect of five different constant temperatures (18, 21, 24, 27, and 30±1°C) and a photoperiod of 14 : 10 (L : D) h on the reproduction parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda was studied. The longevity of adult female S. frugiperda decreased with increasing temperature (22.4 days at 21°C and 13.9 days at 30°C) but not at 18°C. The pre-oviposition period and oviposition period was the shortest at 30°C compared to the other temperatures. The total fecundity egg count was 887.4, 1,246.4, 1,348.9, 1,154.9, and 1,034.2 at 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30°C, respectively, during its life span. The survival rate of female S. frugiperda decreased rapidly after 13 days at 18°C, after 14 days at 21°C, after 15 days at 27°C, and after 9 days at 24°C, and 30°C. On the third day after the start of oviposition, 50% of the total fecundity was accomplished. In corn fields at less than the 10-leaf stage, the distribution of S. frugiperda egg masses was observed in the middle and lower plant regions, corresponding to 46.8% and 41.4% of the total egg masses, respectively. Egg masses were mostly found on the underside of the leaf blade (abaxial) of corn (66.7%). After releasing S. frugiperda adults on May 12, May 17, May 25, and May 30, the number of eggs per egg mass was 89.9, 88.5, 126.6, and 127.9, respectively. Egg masses of the subsequent generations of S. frugiperda were observed from late June, and the number of eggs per egg mass was 155.8 in late June, 270.7 in early July, and 303.5 in mid-July.

Maize is an important cereal crop widely grown in all of Nigeria’s agroecology based on its economic and food values. This has led to its optimum production with Nigeria ranking top 12th maize producer in the world. Presently, the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda is considered a potential threat to food security in Nigeria due to its devastating feeding pattern on maize and its wide host range. Its invasive and high dispersal nature enhances its spread from its first reported state (Oyo) in early 2016 to the entire 36 states of Nigeria by the year 2018. It accounts for averagely an estimated 34% or more yield reduction in Nigeria’s maize field, hence, a need for an efficient management approach. Although most farmers rely on the use of insecticide, it is found ineffective because of the inaccessible location of FAW in maize. This study was carried out to investigate the different management approaches adopted in Nigeria to control FAW and its impact on the insect pest population. Conventional measures such as planting improved seeds, avoidance of late planting, and polyculture to increase the natural enemy’s population have been used but with limited control of FAW. Maize lines with aflatoxin resistance or transgenic Bt-maize are found resistant to FAW. Botanicals such as neem extract lowered the percentage of leaf area damage, incidence of FAW larva infestation, and the number of larvae. It is difficult to curtail the menace of FAW through one control method, hence, the need for an integrated approach

In this study, Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was first reported as a natural enemy of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) egg collected from corn fields in Korea, and its biological characteristics was studied. Based on morphological and molecular analysis, the parasitoid emerged from S. frugiperda eggs was identified as T. remus. We found that T. remus can attack the eggs of S. frugiperda, Spodoptera litra and Spodoptera exigua under a laboratory condition. The longevity of T. remus female adult was longer than that of male adult. The egg-to-adult period of T. remus was not affected by the host age and sex. T. remus female adult laid at least 1-3 eggs a day to a maximum of 37 or more eggs, and the most oviposited on the 3rd to 4th day after emergence. The host preference for oviposition of T. remus adult was high in the order of S. litura>S. exigua>S. frugiperda. T. remus preferred to parasitize 1- and 2-day-old host egg rather than 3-day-old host egg. When compared to the sex ratio of T. remus progeny, the rate of female progeny was higher at the initiation time of oviposition, while the proportion of male progeny increased significantly with female adult age, especially after 8-day-old adult. This information may be useful for improving T. remus mass rearing system and developing a biological control program to control S. frugiperda.

열대 및 아열대성 비래해충으로 최근 국내에도 옥수수에 피해를 주고 있는 열대거세미나방의 온도별 발육특성을 인공먹이를 이용하여 사육 하며 조사하였다. 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 32°C 항온조건에서 알에서 성충까지의 발육하기까지 각각 79.8, 54.2, 34.3, 28.4, 24.6, 24.0일이 소요되어 온도가 증가할수록 발육기간이 짧아졌다. 암컷 번데기의 발육기간은 수컷보다 짧았다. 유충은 보통 6령까지 발육하였으나 저온에서 7령 이상의 비 율이 증가하였다. 온도에 따른 발육은 직선회귀에 부합하였으며, 직선회귀식을 이용하여 각 발육태별 발육영점온도와 유효적산온도를 분석한 결 과, 알은 12.9°C와 37.0 DD, 유충은 11.3°C와 286.3 DD, 번데기는 12.6°C와 132.2 DD, 알에서 성충까지는 11.8°C와 456.8 DD 였다.