Decoding the copulation and courtship patterns of an invasive pest, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) from India

Experiments were conducted to study and document the copulation duration and effect of mating on the female calling behaviour of the Indian population of an invasive pest, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Results showed that 58.39% of the females exhibited calling in the absence of males and 88.18% of females in the presence of males on the first scotophase. The onset time of calling was early in females when males were present. Calling length and calling bouts varied significantly with an increase in the age of virgin females, while in multiple-mated females, the trend was different. The copulation duration of S. frugiperda varied between 78.00 ± 7.35 min and 197.14 ± 11.06 min. The copulation duration and percentage of females mated were maximum in the second scotophase. The fecundity of multiple-mated females ranged between 841 and 1849 with a mean of 1176 ± 113 eggs per female, while in single-mated females, it ranged between 476 and 1368 with a mean of 878 ± 175 eggs per female. Our results indicated that the calling and mating took place in the first scotophase and were at a peak in the second scotophase. This information can be used in formulating biorational molecules, which can modulate calling behaviour and improve mating disruption in S. frugiperda for its management