IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GENUS Spodoptera GUENÉE 1852 AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Abstract

During the present study (2020-2023), two species of genus Spodoptera Guenée were collected from three different districts of Himachal Pradesh. In total 514 insect samples from 76 localities were investigated and maximum frequency of occurrence was recorded (94.07%) in district Sirmaur followed by Shimla (85.55%) and Solan (85.40%). Morphological features were compared with the taxonomic keys and compendia. Adult genitalia were dissected under a stereoscopic microscope (Leica S9 i). Molecular characterisation was done to identify the species after morphological identification. Molecular characterization confirmed Spodoptera litura Fabricius and Spodoptera frugiperda Smith. Developmental biology of S. litura revealed an average incubation period of 2-4 days, hatchability of 89 percent, a total larval period of 20-24 days with six different instars (5 moults), and a pupal period of 12-15 days. The pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition periods were 3.6-0.86 days, and the total eggs laid were 932.80±5.50 eggs/female. The gross reproductive rate (GRR) 1284.20 female eggs/ female and a net reproductive rate (673.25 progeny/ female) with a generation time 42.79 days and a finite rate of increase of 1.34 eggs/female/day. During this period, the biological insecticides Bacillus thuringiensis var newline