Preferences of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith on Pennisetum purpureum Schumach and P. purpureum cv. Mott plants in trap crop utilization

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major pest that attacks corn plants, causing damage that results in economic losses. An environmentally friendly pest control method that can be used is the use of trap plants in the Push Pull strategy. This study aims to determine the egg-laying preferences and development of S. frugiperda on corn plants, elephant grass, and elephant grass odot using the Choice Test and Non-Choice Test methods, observing the development of S. frugiperda, which was then analyzed using ANOVA with a post-hoc LSD 5% test. The results showed that the highest mortality occurred in larvae fed elephant grass leaves, while S. frugiperda fed on elephant grass leaves showed stunted development, such as longer larval stages with larval length, pupa weight, and pupa length of 0.9 cm, 0.07 g, and 1.3 cm, respectively, whereas on corn leaves, larval length was 2.7 cm, pupa weight was 0.11 g, and pupa length was 1.4 cm. This is due to the density of trichomes on the plants, which can interfere with and affect the insects’ feeding ability. This is evidenced by the number of trichomes on tall elephant grass, averaging 41 trichomes, elephant grass odot 32 trichomes, and corn 26 trichomes.