Fall Armyworm on Cotton: Oviposition, Damage, Larval Distribution and Control with Insecticides

R.G. Luttrell, Abbas Ali, and J.S. Mink


 
ABSTRACT

Greenhouse and field cage studies were conducted to study the biology, damage, and control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera fruqiperda) on cotton. Specific experiments were designed to: (1) determine ovipositional sites, (2) estimate and describe the amount and type of damage caused by larval feeding, (3) measure inter- and intra-plant location and movement of larvae, (4) estimate survival of immatures, (5) determine developmental rates of immatures, and (6) calculate anticipated control with insecticides. Results suggest that fall armyworm immatures are located on plant structures deep in the plant canopy. This complicates detection and control practices. Survival of the insect is relatively low on cotton, and development is slow as compared to developmental rates on other host plants. Estimates of damage suggest that the later instars (i.e. 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th instars) are as potentially damaging to cotton fruiting structures as Heliothis spp. larvae.



Reprinted from Proceedings: 1989 Beltwide Cotton Research Conferences pp. 270 - 273
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998