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Sublethal effects of Voliam Flexi on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Insights from Life Table Theory

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Mar 12, 2025 version files 95.86 KB

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Abstract

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a significant insect pest causing huge economic losses to maize crops and has attracted attention globally in the last decade. The study on sublethal effect of insecticide is crucial for the management of insect pests in the field. Thus, the current study evaluated the sublethal effects of Voliam Flexi, which is a combination of Thiamethoxam and Chlorantraniliprole, on the demographic parameters of S. frugiperda exposed to LC10, LC20 and LC30 concentrations. The results indicated that S. frugiperda larvae showed longer period (35.4 days at LC10, 37.9 days at LC20, and 39.5 days at LC30) compared to those in the control group (30.4 days). Fecundity rate was also reduced when sublethal concentrations were applied (298.1 eggs at LC10, 253.2 eggs at LC20, and 214.1 eggs at LC30), when compared with the control group (339.3 eggs). The larvae exposed to sublethal doses exhibited a significant decrease in the intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproduction rate (R₀), and finite rate of increase (λ) compared to the control group. These findings suggest that sublethal concentrations of Voliam Flexi adversely affect the growth and reproductive capacity of S. frugiperda, ultimately aiming to keep populations below levels that cause economic damage. Our findings highlight the potential of sublethal concentration of Voliam Flexi as an effective and alternative for insecticide resistance management strategies.