Effects of Temperature on Biochemical Parameters of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

Abstract

Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is the major invasive pest of maize and spread to all agro climatic zones in Tamil Nadu. The ability of fall armyworm to adapt to varied climatic conditions may be due to their ability to modify biochemical characters. Among the different environmental parameters, temperature is one of the important components, which influences the level of carbohydrate, protein and lipid present in the caterpillars. After first notice during 2018, the fall armyworm presence has observed throughout India that shows their adaptation to different climatic conditions. The study on biochemical properties of fall armyworm under different temperature regime will provide insights about their preference to temperature regimes. In the present study, the biochemical parameters of fourth late instar fall armyworm larvae were studied at five different constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 350C) in complete randomized design. The biochemical studies revealed that the amount of total proteins, total carbohydrates, total lipids are high in the larvae grown at 15 and 200C. Amount of amino acids increased gradually with rising temperatures. The total proteins, total carbohydrates, total lipids are very less at 250C while gradually increases at 30 and 350C. The level of amino acids is very less in the larvae grown in 350C while other biochemical parameters (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids) are comparatively more in 350C.