Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A comparison of the reproductive systems: a virgin and mated female Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has lately been a threat to maize and other crops in the graminaceous family in most parts of the world. For a long time, this devastating pest has been a resident of the Western Hemisphere. However, in 2018, it was reported in Africa, and subsequently in Asia in 2019. This study aimed to understand the reproductive system of virgin and mated female fall armyworm to be able to envisage its population trend and hence suggest how to contain its infection. The virgin and copulated females were dissected to observe their reproductive structures. There was no significant difference in the number of ovarioles in each ovary due to the mating of Spodoptera frugiperda, although ovarian development was affected. Notably, the ovaries enlarged in the early stages after adult emergence, and there was more yolk deposit present in mated females than virgin females. It was found that ovarian advancement begins in the pupal stage. It was also noted that the beginning of ovarian development happens 4–5 days after the pupation of the female. At this stage, the ovarioles begin to develop. However, no eggs or yolk deposition were observed. Stage six, which is the final stage of oviposition, occurs 20 and 24 days after female adult emergence. After mating, oviposition occurs between 11 and 13 days and ends with their mortality. This study goes a long way in understanding the population trend of fall armyworm and hence determining the best stage for control. The results will also be useful to the researchers who are currently working on this insect in laboratories around the world to sustain the fall armyworm populations for further experiments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Ashley TR, Wiseman BR, Davis FM, Andrews KL (1989); The fall armyworm: a bibliography. Fla Entomol.:152–202

  • Buntin GD, Pedigo LP (1983) Morphology of the male and female reproductive systems of Plathypena scabra (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J Kans Entomol Soc. 377–386

  • Callahan PS, Chapin JB (1960) Morphology of the reproductive systems and mating in two representative members of the family Noctuidae, Pseudaletia unipuncta and Peridroma margaritosa, with comparison to Heliothis Zea. Ann Entomol Soc Am 53(6):763–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordero C, Baixeras J (2015) Sexual selection within the female genitalia in Lepidoptera. In Cryptic Female Choice in Arthropods Springer, 325–350

  • Drecktrah HG (1966) Morphology and histology of the internal reproductive systems of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. Iowa State J Sci 40(3):257–286

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2017) Fall Armyworm (FAW), Available online: https://www.fao.org/3/i7471e/i7471e.pdf (accessed on 25 November 2021)

  • Fortes P, Salvador G, Consoli FL (2011) Ovary development and maturation in Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Neot Ent 40(1):89–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galicia I, Sínchez V, Cordero C (2008) On the function of signa, a genital trait of female Lepidoptera. Ann Entomol Soc Am 101(4):786–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gemeno C, Anton S, Zhu JW, Haynes KF (1998) Morphology of the reproductive system and antennal lobes of gynandromorphic and normal black cutworm moths, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Intl J of Insect Morp and Emb 27(3):185–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grodowitz MJ, Reed DA, Elliott B, Perring TM (2019) Female Reproductive System morphology and the development of a physiological age-grading system for Bagrada Hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). J of Insect Sci 19(2):15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han LZ, Gu HN, Zhai BP, Zhang XX (2008) Reproduction–flight relationship in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Environ Entomol 37(2):374–381

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hinton JL, Andow DA (2003) Mating frequency of European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas. The Grt Lakes Entom 36(3):7

    Google Scholar 

  • Hruska AJ (2019) Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) management by smallholders. CAB Rev 14(043):1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacas JA, Garrido A (1996) Differences in the morphology of male and female pupae of Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). Fla Entomol 79(4):603–606

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson SJ (1987) Migration and the life history strategy of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in the western hemisphere. Intl J of Trop Insect Sci 8(4–5–6):543–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalleshwaraswamy CM, Asokan R, Swamy HM, Maruthi MS, Pavithra HB, Hegbe K, Navi S, Prabhu ST, Goergen GE (2018) First report of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an alien invasive pest on maize in India. Pest Mgt in Horti Eco 4:23–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Li W, Yuan W, Zhao X, Li Y, Wu K (2017) Effects of mating on ovarian development and oviposition of Apolygus Lucorum. J Asia-Pacific Ent 20(4):1442–1446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li XJ, Wu MF, Ma J, Gao BY, Wu QL, Chen AD, Liu J, Jiang YY, Zhai BP, Early R et al (2019) Prediction of migratory routes of the invasive fall armyworm in eastern China using a trajectory analytical approach. Pest Manag Sci.

  • Maruthadurai R, Ramesh R (2020) Occurrence, damage pattern and biology of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on fodder crops and green amaranth in Goa, India. Phytoparasitica 48(1):15–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto JR, Torres AF, Truzi CC, Vieira NF, Vacari A, De Bortoli M (2019) Artificial Corn-based Diet for Rearing Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J Insect Sci 19(4):2

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pittarate S, Rajula J, Rahman A, Vivekanandhan P, Thungrabeab M, Mekchay S, Krutmuang P (2021) Insecticidal effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles against Spodoptera frugiperda under laboratory conditions. Insects, 12(11), p.1017

  • Rahman A, Pittarate S, Perumal V, Rajula J, Thungrabeab M, Mekchay S, Krutmuang P (2022) Larvicidal and Antifeedant Effects of Copper Nano-Pesticides against Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) and Its Immunological Response. Insects, 13(11), p.1030

  • Rhainds M (2013) Field assessment of female mating success based on the presence-absence of spermatophore: a case study with spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana. Ann Zool 50(6):377–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva CS, Parra JR (2013) New method for rearing Spodoptera frugiperda in laboratory shows that larval cannibalism is not obligatory. Rev Brasileira De Entomol 57(3):347–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soares MA, Batista JD, Zanuncio JC, Lino-Neto J, Serrão JE (2011) Ovary development, egg production and oviposition for mated and virgin females of the predator Podisus Nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Acta Scientiarum Agronomy 33(4):597–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stacconi MV, Romani R (2011) Ultrastructural and functional aspects of the spermatheca in the American harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Neot Ent 40(2):222–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tambo JA, Day RK, Lamontagne-Godwin J, Silvestri S, Beseh PK, Oppong-Mensah B, Phiri NA, Matimelo M (2020) Tackling fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) outbreak in Africa: an analysis of farmers’ control actions. Intl J of Pest Mgt 66(4):298–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuncer C, Aker O (2017) Sexual dimorphism in the pupal stage of Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). Ent News 127(2):112–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe M (1993) A spermatophore structured in the bursa copulatrix of the small white Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera, Pieridae) during copulation, and its sugar content. J of Research Lepid 32:26–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu QL, He LM, Shen XJ, Jiang YY, Liu J, Hu G, Wu KM (2019) Estimation of the potential infestation area of newly-invaded fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda in the Yangtze River Valley of China. Insects 10(9):298

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Xingquan K, Calvin DD, Knapp MC, Poston FL (2004) Female European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) ovarian developmental stages: their association with oviposition and use in a classification system. J Econ Entomol 97(3):828–835

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Ma L, Zhong F, Wang Y, Guo Y, Lu Y, Liang G (2015) Fitness costs of reproductive capacity and ovarian development in a Bt-resistant strain of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Pest Manag Sci 71(6):870–877

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Men L, Peng Y, Li J, Deng A, Chen Y, Liu X, Ma R (2017) Morphological differences of the reproductive system could be used to predict the optimum Grapholita molesta (Busck) control period. Sci Rep 7(1):1–4

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to appreciate Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China and Chiang Mai University, Thailand for supporting this research. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Office of Research Administration at Chiang Mai University for their financial support.

Funding

This research was supported by the Office of Research Administration at Chiang Mai University, Thailand (Grant Numbers: EP010159, EP010219).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Patcharin Krutmuang, Manasikan Sanchatthai & Julius Rajula

  2. Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Central China, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Fertility, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China

    Li Wen Jing & Peng Wan

  3. Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Supamit Mekchay

  4. Innovative Agriculture Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Patcharin Krutmuang & Supamit Mekchay

  5. Department of General Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, India

    Vivekanandhan Perumal

Authors
  1. Patcharin Krutmuang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Manasikan Sanchatthai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Julius Rajula
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Li Wen Jing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Peng Wan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Supamit Mekchay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Vivekanandhan Perumal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualization, P.K and P.W; Methodology, M.S.; L.J.; S.P.; and P.W; Software, M.S.; L.J.; J.R.; and P.W.; Validation, J. R.; L.J.; P.W.; S.K.; V.P.; S.P.; and P.K; Formal analysis, M.S.; L.J.; P.W; J.R; and P.K.; Investigation, M.S.; L.J.; P.W.; J.R.; and P.K.; Resources, L.J.; and P.W; Data curation, J. R.; L.J.; P.W.; and P.K; Writing—original draft preparation, M.S.; J. R.; S.P.; and P.K.; Writing—review and editing, J.R.; V.P.; P.K.; Visualization, M.S.; L.J.; P.K.; and P.W.; Supervision, P.W and P.K.; Project administration, P.K and P.W.; Funding acquisition, L.J.; P.W; and P.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patcharin Krutmuang.

Ethics declarations

Institutional review board statement

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Krutmuang, P., Sanchatthai, M., Rajula, J. et al. A comparison of the reproductive systems: a virgin and mated female Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 44, 637–645 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-024-01180-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-024-01180-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation