Vol. 10, Special Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
C Gargi, JS Kennedy and TD Jayabal

Abstract:
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a devastating invasive pest that continues to impede Indian agricultural progress. Olfactory response studies indicated that gravid female moths prefer healthy maize plants over S. frugiperda larva damaged maize plants. Among all the treatments, the highest preference of S. frugiperda female moths was observed with 86.67 per cent towards the 45-day old healthy maize plant odour. Male moths did not show any specific preference to the different stages of maize viz., 15, 30 and 45 days old healthy and damaged plants. Volatile profiling of plants showed significant change in plant volatiles when damaged by S. frugiperda larva.