Detection of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) and its biology under Manipur conditions

With the first detection of incidence of S. frugiperda on maize under field conditions, the rearing and studying of life cycle has been started. Under Manipur conditions, the adult male and female have a longevity of 32 - 40 and 29 - 34 days, respectively. The female can lay an around 1700 - 2000 eggs in its lifespan with an egg mass of 180 - 200. Larva undergo 6 instars with the larval period of 18 - 19 days and undergo pupation for about 8 - 9 days. Besides maize, the larvae consumed cabbage, tomato fruits and leaves and rice seedlings under laboratory conditions.