BIOLOGIE ET NUTRITION DE LA CHENILLE LEGIONNAIRE DAUTOMNE, SPODOPTERAFRUGIPERDA(J.E. SMITH) (LEPIDOPTERA : NOCTUIDAE) SUR CINQ PLANTES HOTESAU BURKINA FASO

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is an insect pest that feeds on over 300 species of host plants, causing significant damage. In order to control this pest, it is essential to know its life cycle on its host plants. The aim of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of the biology and feeding preferences of S. frugiperda in choice and non-choice situations on five host plants (maize, millet, sorghum, cowpea and ricin) encountered in Burkina Faso. The results of the biology study showed that S. frugiperda larval development passes through six larval stages on maize and ricin and seven on millet, sorghum and cowpea. The duration of S. frugiperda larval development time was shortest on maize (10.43 ± 0.16 days) and longest on sorghum (19.59 ± 0.50 days). In general, females lived longer than males, between 7.58 and 8.44 days. S. frugiperda fecundity varied significantly according to food substrate, with hatching rates ranging from 97.39 to 99.20%. Results on food preference showed that in both choice and no-choice situations, maize, followed by ricin, were the preferred substrates for stage 1 and 3 larvae.These results can be used for sustainable and effective management of S. frugiperda in Burkina Faso.