Behavioural and electroantennographic responses of female fall armyworm moth, Spodoptera frugiperda to maize plant volatiles.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a devastating invasive pest recently introduced in India in 2018. The fall armyworm infestation has significantly impacted maize cultivation in the country. Identifying the host plant volatiles (kairomones) that are attractive to S. frugiperda from its highly preferred host plant, i.e. maize will help developing eco-friendly management strategies against this nefarious pest. Gas chromatography electroantennogram detector (GC-EAD) analysis revealed that a total of 18 compounds in maize headspace volatiles and 17 in maize leaf extract elicited an antennal response in female moths of S. frugiperda. Olfactometer bioassays of GC-EAD active plant volatile compounds revealed that heptanoic acid, 2,5-ditert butyl-1,4-benzoquinone and n-hexadecane were the most preferred plant volatile compounds and 50: 50 ratio blend of heptanoic acid and 2,5-ditert butyl-1,4-benzoquinone was found to be the most attractive kairomone blend for S. frugiperda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]