D3102: Influence of temperature changes in fall armyworm development rate

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is one of the most important pests in agriculture due to its capacity to feed on a wide range of crops, including maize, rice, sorghum, cotton, and vegetables. FAW is native to tropical regions of the Americas but is now threatening cropping systems worldwide. FAW moths can also migrate long distances or move through the wind stream and outbreaks can suddenly occur, resulting in devastating crop damage. Recently, FAW survival was documented in fields at considerably low temperatures, which significantly impact integrated pest management for this pest. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how stable and oscillating temperature conditions, similar to those in the field, affect the survival and development rate of FAW. This study took place in three environments with different temperature conditions including: 1) constant high 27°C, 2) constant low 14°C, and 3) oscillating temperatures. The oscillating treatment temperatures starting at 23°C and decreasing to 18°C within a 24 hr. period one week. Similarly, temperature starting at 18°C and decreasing to 15°C for week 2, and 12°C to 10°C, and 10°C to 7°C, for week 3 and 4, respectively. The results from this study are relevant for the optimization of FAW pest management program, and ultimately improve crop production.